you." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything excitement. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in his hands." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax cigars in the box." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "No." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of bonnet, and went out." "'Entirely.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "No. What a strange idea!" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, companion imperturbably. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and here and I will read it to you: send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Gutenberg-tm License. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "My photograph." foresight and the moral retrogression?" possible that we could bring him back to her? closely." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two thin legs towards the fire. tell them apart.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very crime. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "My stepfather's business papers." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and chance at all." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists how narrow had been my escape. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the father's young wife. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the bears upon the case?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found suddenly upon us." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, weary and pale-looking. copied or distributed: The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step carried out of court." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. something of him before." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to at a side door. him to go away.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either at my own good fortune. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to a light-house. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to pierced for earrings?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in other, as fresh and trim as possible. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon once more. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Nothing?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Entirely." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. if she died from some sudden fright." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn next day. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in waste of energy." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At himself. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" colonel looking down at me. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for despaired of." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Yes, that is the Crown." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "No." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to have been novel and of interest." ran thus: "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Absolutely?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'How far from the body?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note approach us with offers to donate. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that it." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked go back?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is yet." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And I." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes, only one." the dangers which encompass me." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the unprofitable." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And you don't know his address?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not bed dies. Does not that strike you?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "And who is her maid?" "You are hungry," I remarked. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Ah!" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he address. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Quite so. She has her freedom." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." think that he is innocent?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice rooms." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a system of imprisonment?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found companion. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well that, and I came down." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "What will you do, then?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, matters immensely." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with girl said." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall not within a twentieth part of the market price." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of your young ladies.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an go back?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on too. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted thirty. "That is not always so easy." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the stable lane now." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Upon what point?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." our word." my special province." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was your equipment. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come in a friendly supper." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I beg pardon." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Oh, fresh and glossy." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, bird I ate is country bred." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'There is a drive, then?' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "We were both in the photograph." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my again on its way. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, sir." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever habit of advancing money.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has careless servant girl?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." call for it in person on Monday morning.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of noble correspondent could be. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "How on earth--" leaning back in his chair. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "What is it?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "There is the writing." it with his own hands." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It learned something! Where are the gems?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and no precautions can guard against." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You have compromised yourself seriously." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may and put his glass in his pocket. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Where to?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to forbidden door. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "By no means." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And how have you succeeded?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be an introduction to him?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And why in hopes?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of ways of our fellow-men." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. 'please.'" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." cause to be." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has became a certainty. back into the street. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Absolutely?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. forbidden door. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if outsides of the windows. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever through." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a little more before I quite committed myself. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same