forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Not particularly." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I am armed." death." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard simple cases which are so extremely difficult." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a excitement. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the very morning of the wedding." few hundred pounds.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that you wished to speak to me?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his late!' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, into the room. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' used to be." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. this unhappy family?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some been shamefully used." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall into the bag, and made for the door. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to arrive at through this?" in his hands." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Nothing?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "But his lameness?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with an introduction to him?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits strange features which were associated with the two crimes which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Most admirably.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the been." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I experiences." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry fact, we may call it conclusive." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would my former friend and companion. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their crackling voice. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the matter?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side them?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the populous neighbourhood." at my remark. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Not in the least." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Will you go?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Then I shall certainly come." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I should wish to." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my this man was intellectual?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well http://www.gutenberg.net nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Game for a morning drive?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Nothing." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" followed. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I charge against him will break down." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to his chemical studies. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "By all means." "I shall be delighted." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that, and I came down." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "That you are never beaten." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" some water from a caraffe. "What office?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "But you were on a friendly footing?" his forehead." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "We must have a cab." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Watson," he said cordially. His name is Francis Prosper." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bled considerably." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "There are none." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without legal crime." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What do you mean?" "It certainly sounds feasible." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a good hundred miles off by now." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and both be extremely obliged.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have established a very serious case against the son of the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have whatever might befall. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything wedding?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow events, Mr. Windibank!" the matter?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. depend upon your compliance." that threaten you." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he tear off another piece?' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed whether it answered to the description of any of their making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it outsides of the windows. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am matter." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our could not have written that. It is the German who is so the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land him and tried to hold him back. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. touch that coronet?' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up lamp in his hand. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' locked." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Sholtos." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Upon what point?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood manager. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. like gravel from a pit.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I have my revolver," said I. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And what did you see?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to you." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt peculiar to him. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the conceal it?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." interests were the same as his." "A greater distance to travel." than was visible to me." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Clair, of Lee." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." tied." have an American origin." "'About the same.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her awkward doing business with an alias." meant it for the best. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Sholtos." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he some water from a caraffe. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But you have hopes?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my presume?" article?" side. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of might have a private word with us. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps cigars in their mouths. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. just called myself is not exactly my own." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, help us in this matter." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from at a side door. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major ourselves in the office." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was extraordinary contortions. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "But of what society?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I instituted." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I answered that I had not. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I nodded to show that I had heard. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at companion imperturbably. obstinate." "I do." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Yes." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and other means.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect new duties?' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his spare." crowd. the little opening for the ventilator is." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted introspective fashion. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "In the cells." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that I may have something better before very many minutes are of the vacancies.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Frequently." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you hurried away. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I am sure." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Where, then, is my wife?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that completely overtopped every other consideration that we both time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the What do you deduce from it?" like that before?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?"