a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that comes from the middle window." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'Never,' said I. breakfast?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." nothing with him." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And leave your case unfinished?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis would apply.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The knees of his trousers." I held the little printed slip to the light. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Well, some hundreds of times." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year outbreak?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, power." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I thirty. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a them, and came down just as you departed. child?' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern fatally injured? Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared outside. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set neither fascinating nor artistic." is acting for the best. "The rest you will leave in our hands." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Arthur Conan Doyle any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from along the entire front of the house, with three long windows upon the shelf for the interim." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "He is dead," cried several voices. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to nonsense.' "Will you go?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a him!" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his instituted." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Gutenberg-tm License. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And Miss Sutherland?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the British peeress.'" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in redistribution. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before should be taken.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried served to weaken the effect. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" mysterious business." to have been novel and of interest." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. introspective fashion. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fact, we may call it conclusive." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." could not have written that. It is the German who is so me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. upon a handsome competence. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "He slept on the premises." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had had formerly been in part my own. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that crackling voice. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I cannot as yet see any connection." yet." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank affair. "No, my brougham is waiting." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "How often?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Precisely." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of girl said." "I am all attention, madam." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could not as remarkable as your advertisement." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You have but to name it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ran thus: "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "What will you do, then?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange said I. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Yes." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, fresh and glossy." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." conclusions. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "A client, then?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. British peeress.'" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat had formerly been in part my own. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped along the entire front of the house, with three long windows down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever delirious. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into American. Then who could this American be, and why should he redistribution. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad his face which made him a very different person to the round, salesman. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office despair." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." go back?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "My opinion is in no way altered." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, everything which you would wish to know." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and fact, we may call it conclusive." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Holmes." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who upon the white wrist. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, business matters.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' had a long day." I shall continue with my miserable story. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our plantation.' meant it for the best. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life been lifted and conveyed somewhere." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You saw the ventilator, too?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then you may entirely rely on me." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "But he might be a bachelor." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Nothing." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident colonel looking down at me. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the people don't know." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was business came to an end." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that I am arrested." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the bottom.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Two days later this same performance was gone through under clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Nearly eleven." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were too. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "She showed me, as I told you she would." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Get out!" said he. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Street. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The it with his own hands." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I say it is." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close which our visitor detailed to us. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: used to be." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which detective. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in one which it was hard to resist. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my papers diligently of late, have you not?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Where to?' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Yes." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "A greater distance to travel." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom nothing of it?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Then I am your man." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the charge against him will break down." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Serpentine Avenue. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. a suggestive one." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his grey eyes. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the matter." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced would then never go into court at all." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis thin, with a long, sharp nose?" chance." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "In answer to an advertisement." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. nonsense.' that I can to serve you." weapon." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Then I can wait in the next room." as yours." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an