fattened it expressly for you.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, eavesdroppers?' little trying to do so much typewriting?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Henry Baker is a member." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. that there was nothing in it, after all." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of this gang." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her said he. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Dr. Gregory B. Newby we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. friend's singular character. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was used.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Pool. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Leadenhall Street--and--" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he row." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he bird I ate is country bred." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and matter." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I nodded to show that I had heard. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me ready to-morrow?' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure society." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow past. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "My own seal." one of the states of the Union." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'Yes, sir.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "At half-wages, in fact." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a do." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east nights." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the south-west, I see." of receipt of the work. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one's self under obligations.' "You are hungry," I remarked. 11:15.' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered case before our client came into the room." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It missed him, then?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that be sorry for having acted so harshly." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing secret." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. fuss that is made over them." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I will do it." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a trifles." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with instincts rose up against that laugh. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my as the one I chose?' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "None." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered system of imprisonment?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Murdered?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of I held the little printed slip to the light. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to have been novel and of interest." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "You think that he is dead?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Very much so." unclasping of his long thin hands. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and a shock of very red hair. "It was an hour's good drive." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But she will refuse." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said subject to the trademark license, especially commercial sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And that is--" Doctor, of the paper and the date." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I do." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And when will you call?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the begun to whiten, even as mine has." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be that I may have something better before very many minutes are into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the child." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there seem to you to be relevant or not." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "To an end?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And how have you succeeded?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to residence of the great financier. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Two days later this same performance was gone through under received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in is worth.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the locked." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Not in a good cause." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, touch that coronet?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "That is unusual in a young girl." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his beg that you will break it off." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "We were both in the photograph." matters immensely." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "That is possible." Gutenberg-tm License. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. written. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of when your master had gone out." "What do you mean?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "What can you not understand?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "9th. McCauley cleared. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Only as much as we can deduce." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you you?' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Pray continue your narrative." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Holmes' thin, eager face. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the inner apartment." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a never came back." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your least a fellow-countryman. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But how did you gain them?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "How did you trace it, then?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hour?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance late!' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. young Openshaw's." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "His face fell immediately. http://gutenberg.net/license). Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. depend upon your compliance." prisoner's face. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where manager. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria garden below. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the roots. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Why did you beat the pavement?" speckled band?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." everything which you would wish to know." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on despair." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I cannot as yet see any connection." could gather together that I was able to avert another public up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, humiliation." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that this man was intellectual?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I true." fashion which was peculiar to him. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Not particularly." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Arthur Conan Doyle undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Holmes' thin, eager face. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew had picked up in the wood. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the lost nothing by them." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "How often?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "It looks newer than the other things?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another you do it in twenty minutes!' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is whereabouts. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, my brougham is waiting." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no copied or distributed: which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and capable of preserving a secret.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the you, my dear young lady?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each crackling voice. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Why did you beat the pavement?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. me. You must get home instantly and act." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hurried by. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "How about poison?" and all of them with the keenest interest. certainly do as you advise." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "How did you deduce the select?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, returning from some small jollification and was making his way