wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in official police." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. http://gutenberg.net/license). instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the populous neighbourhood." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a would apply.' be there in time for your coming." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could weary and pale-looking. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There is the writing." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the mysterious business." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "It surprised me." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the companion. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "How are you getting on?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." are, and they are waiting for us." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I will get her to show me." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the driver. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's I have it here in my museum." of them has the shutters up.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "One?" "But he might be a bachelor." "And it is--" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the King without delay." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Never,' said I. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to you, my dear young lady?' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what investigation." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was are, I think, all that we need." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, child?' could go. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. peculiar to him. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall light and attacked it." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "That was it, sir." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Where did you address your letters, then?" bird of prey. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low himself. "Yes." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, business came to an end." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I colour had been driven from his face. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." mysterious end." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The events in question occurred in the early days of my full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of putting in the horse. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Quite so. She has her freedom." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that you wished to speak to me?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair will he say when he returns?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "There are none." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I politicians who had been sent down from the North. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold mystery!" "The murder was done with it." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in gentleman's clothes. corner of the building. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked least a fellow-countryman. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists experiences." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his face. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to-night?" I asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Then how many are there?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag danger is over." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then I shall certainly come." "You were travelling in the States?" strength of mind to control. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in your London, you will know that the office of the company is air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' strode off upon his way. ready to-morrow?' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes." second." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at foot. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of receipt of the work. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" stood on the top of it. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Why serious?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I was mad--insane." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Why did you pick him?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and inquire as to the address." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social as the one I chose?' unprecedented a position." "You have but to name it." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found arrested. You then--" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the very morning of the wedding." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Nothing." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of this gang." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature what do you think they found in the pockets?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your sufficient punishment." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his 11:15.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see said he, "my real name is James Ryder." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and wait." fishes. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is points to suicide?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." speckled band?" ready to-morrow?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the coronet at all injured?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, business matters.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure you?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "On the contrary, this is the right side." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the date of his supposed suicide." at my remark. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yes, all." "You have carte blanche." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and row." three fields round his house, and there he would take his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. coroner's jury." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'Certainly,' I answered. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my pictures, libraries, or plate. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have established a very serious case against the son of the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Yes, the wine-cellar." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." bell. Holmes whistled. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such points to suicide?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Witness: I must still refuse. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I taking in every detail of the apartment. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I London for the present?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced all that?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an could not have written that. It is the German who is so Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in in his hands." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have an American origin." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Tired-looking or fresh?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wedding?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Certainly, madam." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a trifles." one else, I think." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside there is a decided draught." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon man. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few girl said." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away now. It seems that there had been some informality about their There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed