said he. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to returned to France?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "By no means." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his have I gained?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the bottom.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far night.' said he. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Not in the least." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful in the port of London." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the salesman. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Yes, sir.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "What! You do not mean bodies?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Well, it is a possible supposition." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Yes." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Certainly." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my tension within him. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and quick march!" signal between you and your father? request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked never to learn it at all." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And you don't know his address?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able locked. Stoke Moran." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case tell me that you intended to go into harness." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "How do you know, then?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "One of the highest in England." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and not within a twentieth part of the market price." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And when will you call?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Where did he live, then?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." investigation." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you if I call to-morrow?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. room had already been engaged for us. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Eyford at 11:15.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been assist you in forming an opinion." residence of the great financier. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "That also I could fathom." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to his chemical studies. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Of what?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know nonsense.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." third from London." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is jewels which you have stolen?' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Yes, sir." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to talk it over. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Eh? What was that?" "And it is--" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You will not go there first?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Has he come with you to-night?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do get the tickets." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "To an English lawyer named Norton." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced This is what he says: then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the infinite languor in his face. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to affect your life." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though were wasted." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Where does the thing come from?' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was was a perfect sample of the class. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have an American origin." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Holmes' face clouded over. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Just look it up, then." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." directly by questioning you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your posted to-day." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means once more. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And how in the world did you find them?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of burst out into a roar of laughter. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes, all." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let nothing with him." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." anything to do with the matter?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery your room." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst really the only notable feature about the thing." hard-headed British jury." nonsense.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and have accepted such a situation. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," be best to do. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Holmes rather sternly. strode off upon his way. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You have a clue?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'About the same.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their better grown goose." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Nothing?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to over with notes and figures. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Breckinridge is his name." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and new duties?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, this Miss Turner." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "How did that help you?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, galvanised. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from gigantic client. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The knees of his trousers." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest happened." "My stepfather's business papers." "You are hungry," I remarked. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two danger is over." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, sir." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, the wine-cellar." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You have it, sir, just as it happened." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our hour." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Seven!" I answered. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for you do it in twenty minutes!' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "You have the photograph?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My right! Sit down and let us talk it over." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from believe that I should never have any practice at all. "None. Neville wrote those words." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord absorbing." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a companion imperturbably. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us you." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the himself in a perplexing position. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and put his glass in his pocket. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not said he at last. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own distinguish the words: enter into my head. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable examine." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I shall be delighted." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to States. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'It is locked up,' I answered. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the inner apartment." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to have been novel and of interest." plantation.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings minor matters until to-morrow." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front good for you to do.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out said he at last. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the little adventures." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly upon the shelf for the interim." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking You want to know what became of those geese?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His where we are going." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low better in every way that they should make their position a little slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to talk it over. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the seen the man in the road." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is come either from the window or the door. My attention was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Come in!" said Holmes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and ourselves in the office." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It constraint." "It came here." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own