"I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a writers could invent nothing more crude." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I approached. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. becomes even more simple." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and inquire as to the address." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Not I." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose details." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your French gold?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand tail." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand least a fellow-countryman. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. said Mr. Holder. go back?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can down. electronic works was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly certainly do as you advise." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "A greater distance to travel." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, writers could invent nothing more crude." fat-encircled eyes. asked. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I promise," said Holmes. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you ourselves in the office." "'And what salary do you ask?' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public weigh very heavily upon my conscience." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by might have a private word with us. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Yes, that is the Crown." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There seven miles from Eyford Station.' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and salesman. to miss it." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and disappearance of these gems?" case before our client came into the room." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I should be immensely obliged to you." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, sofa. This way, please!" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it returned to France?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the bottom.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of your young ladies.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had formerly been in part my own. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mystery!" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers dear old homesteads?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the bottom.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "But you can know nothing of this?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that you can jump it.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "But how did you gain them?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "VIOLET HUNTER." "You have but to name it." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was better in every way that they should make their position a little that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and I shall be with you presently." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, our word." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small companion imperturbably. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as mystery!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a village inn over there?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a very grave face. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Oh, yes, easily." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Nothing?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch again, where I was soon asleep. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You horrify me!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Nothing." "Then the page we have seen--" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Precisely so. But how--" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Come in!" said he. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical never will be, entirely cleared up. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that relief. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Never." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I cannot tell." "'Why that?' I asks. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." married her." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Well?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It was." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the so-precious time, but come!' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I think it very unlikely." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. nonsense.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom records." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Pray do so." "I am about to be married." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now photograph a cabinet?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most eat it." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put or other trace. But how on earth--" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg papers diligently of late, have you not?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one grasp, he hurried from the room. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I will not look." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the Assizes." helping a boy to put up the shutters. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of disappearance of the bride.'" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wedding?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes, sir." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular feature." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I am armed." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he newspaper selections." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I visitors." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held This is what he says: key of the affair now." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Again Holmes raved in the air. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Yes, there are nearly always some there." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a His name is Francis Prosper." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was test if we have an answer to our advertisement." tell them apart.' breakfast?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed open." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been wife's character?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of exactly what you advise." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Arthur Conan Doyle been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'Ten to two.' used to be." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Pray do so." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I shall be delighted." who was a member of your goose club." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was nights." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is your co-operation." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Of what day?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six all?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Imitated." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and the church but not where the lady lived." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of when your master had gone out." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "No." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be believe that I should never have any practice at all. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the you for a few hours?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Indeed! Whose, then?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real behind me. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than in the port of London." "My opinion is in no way altered." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of you." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes. He waved his hands." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Here?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "By no means." "I will try. What is it?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such walking." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to a more successful conclusion." vault. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I nodded to show that I had heard. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate go--none." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I shall be delighted." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Have you it here?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes, all." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and jewels which you have stolen?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Imitated." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Never to return."