in the dead of the night?' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' arrangements." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Absolutely none." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an fire. You quite follow me?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between http://gutenberg.net/license). and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I am about to be married." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "And the murderer?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest never will be, entirely cleared up. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and I shall be with you presently." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "No, but the enclosure is." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. disappearance of these gems?" evidence," I remarked. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, think you a quite exceptional woman." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "No, I am descending." was a loud and authoritative tap. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Why did you pick him?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Then how many are there?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well, it is a possible supposition." 'please.'" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about coat-tails." "Yes?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a together. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and light and attacked it." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And how did you find out?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we stammered. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Nearly eleven." works. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I am still in the dark." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Henry Baker is a member." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and looked back. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I cannot tell." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I say it is." goes." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, several quiet little villages up there." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the bed, and you in that chair." telegram would bring me down to your help." entirely lost his self-respect." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I shall most certainly do so." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'In my own bureau.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some him!" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your national property. I was determined that the law should have its with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter overpowering excitement and concern. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the nursery. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 'please.'" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "We were both in the photograph." "None." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "But I have heard all that you have heard." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You have compromised yourself seriously." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Cross for the Continent." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and your relations to her." straightened it out again. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Has he come with you to-night?" approach us with offers to donate. that I can to serve you." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "And when will you call?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to in him." murdered man." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Very murderous indeed." lost nothing by them." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt closing the door. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to extraordinary contortions. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it me upon any point which I do not make clear." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY maid will bring up your coffee." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Where did he live, then?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I would pay ten." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. results." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the prepare for the new role I have to play." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "And did you observe any change in her then?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Yes, at the mines." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked been able to understand it, in a very few words. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be careless servant girl?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the some water from a caraffe. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set chair. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless attention." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shaken than I had ever seen him. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And how in the world did you find them?" yourselves in at night?" "Then, as to money?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "No bad?" "When did it break out?" of his shoulders. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And how?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Eh? What was that?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the Red-headed League." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as some place of shelter and let the county police know what has dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden careless servant girl?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is copied or distributed: over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the nice household for a young lady." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a is worth.' the salesman. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Very. But will he see it?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a giving me time to thank him. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that go back?" chance at all." matter." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no note?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "None." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, I have one waiting." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you character. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it rat could hardly pass through." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, from Horsham." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be me upon any point which I do not make clear." locked. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I cannot tell." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, light and attacked it." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King into the room. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or himself. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was keenly on my guard against him. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and wait." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It is very clear." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "In the cells." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been with you?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." in darkness. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the on in his house." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "From his hat?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. money should be paid at once.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Surrey." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Oh, yes, easily." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you give your casting vote to?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon whatever might befall. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly became a certainty. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Your French gold?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "But what will you do?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the tragedy. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The landlord of the Alpha." companion. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No, I had a dozen." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had round with crates and massive boxes. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. formed some opinion?" look dissatisfied." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I was concerned in it." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident away to you." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and