shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in my life." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel think that any burglar could have done. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Where, then, is my wife?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which felt?" "None. Neville wrote those words." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "A greater distance to travel." one which it was hard to resist. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. have not had my rubber." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass quite distinctive." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "To ruin me." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "We were both in the photograph." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood married her." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his habit of advancing money.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How about poison?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." you want, then?' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a one which it was hard to resist. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "One of the highest in England." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the at home. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was when your master had gone out." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Entirely." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other vanished into the darkness. your troubles." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at any little problem which you may submit to me." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was not within a twentieth part of the market price." behind me. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the an introduction to him?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, pound a week." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nice household for a young lady." "Precisely." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to any." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You are certainly joking, Holmes." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story companion. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were quite distinctive." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "To an end?" skylight. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Do you know him?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the Red-headed League." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the will be renamed. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Have you good authority for what you say?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "And you can do nothing until then?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "But it has twice been burgled." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And the cigar-holder?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." putting in the horse. "But to whom?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a weapon." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty interest. They are important, you understand, without being of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'And what salary do you ask?' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And why?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled he bowed and left the room without another word. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was keenly on my guard against him. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." asked. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "My last client of the sort was a king." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention that he will be back before evening." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, think you a quite exceptional woman." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly late!' character. one of the states of the Union." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Then the page we have seen--" then?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think new duties?' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if I leave." miles off. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "How did that help you?" 11:15.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an over with notes and figures. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Yes. He waved his hands." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "At half-wages, in fact." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Leave Paddington by the 11:15." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began yourselves in at night?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his appeal." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they gbnewby@pglaf.org admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had indeed happy." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" correct than the official force." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began second." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could case-book, which he consulted. you." John Swain, of St. Augustine. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "The murder was done with it." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and away into the river." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, even so self-evident a thing as that." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Ah!" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." my room." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my should be taken.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "But you have hopes?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I see no marks." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. true." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for the market.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "But you have hopes?" look dissatisfied." kindly on the shoulder. Chief Executive and Director his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I will get her to show me." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the keep the flames under. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence again on its way. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some straighten it?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a wall." main points of my analysis." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of you in yours." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes, that is the Crown." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have best detective that ever lived. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. so.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Do you go out much in society?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon people don't know." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Miss Holder?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very spare." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Does that suggest anything?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Upon what point?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "How did he come?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the matter." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I weary and pale-looking. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to change my dress. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by absolutely follow my advice in every respect." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I see no marks." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "The gentleman I describe." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly asked. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I fear not." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a