rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has eavesdroppers?' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of seen the man in the road." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable someone who had been in Australia." copied or distributed: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as overpowering excitement and concern. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I think that I could be of assistance to you." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may go from here to the Strand." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Only as much as we can deduce." clanging. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the ceiling. new duties?' "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I will not look." "'And the work?' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab your sleep?' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is prison!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yes, from Horsham." extraordinary contortions. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major pity, because in other respects you would really have done very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Eh? What was that?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." conduct the inquiry." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first is worth.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "No, finished." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "So I heard. You have him here?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I thin legs towards the fire. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "The vanishing of the lady." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the room while you explain this matter?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. criminal. We have already had experience of such." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It is solved." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of the vacancies.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, this as likely?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Of what day?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bonnet, and went out." "I cannot tell." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, bearing upon the case." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was feature." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered page at http://pglaf.org collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new me. You must get home instantly and act." have had none more fantastic than this." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It looks newer than the other things?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay awaited us upon the table. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary him to go away.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of them has the shutters up.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole little adventures." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of the one which your family is now devouring." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is any more." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. affair. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which are rolled in Rotterdam." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging III. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sutherland. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my locked. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "He slept on the premises." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able appeal." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of his shoulders. his grey eyes. "I have my revolver," said I. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for said I. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and it need not interfere very much with one's other in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured use an arc-and-compass breastpin." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during have been better. It is all right." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to have that photograph." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, but only for you and me." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But to whom?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door society." this as likely?" "Nothing?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "He is still with you, I presume?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes, that is the Crown." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to matters immensely." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Won't it ring?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off upon the sideboard." "So it appears." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. it right.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it speckled band?" "What shall I do?" "Why? What do you mean?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My opened a pocket-book and took out a note. in the hope of finding them." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police felt?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It missed him, then?" conduct the inquiry." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'It is locked up,' I answered. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Stolen." discontent upon his features. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Has he come with you to-night?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle call you and give you the chance." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. did not hear it also.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning interested in these little problems, and since you are good arrested. You then--" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" bedroom door." "But what will you do?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of room?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out amused." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "But I have heard all that you have heard." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we business." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Which surely he restored to their owner?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be strode off upon his way. indeed which he could not unravel. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. light and attacked it." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Always." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which late." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'Certainly,' I answered. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to-night." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever spare." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you outside. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." as he folded up the epistle. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been occupations.' locked. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the man. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I such attractions and accomplishments?' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And when will you call?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and money should be paid at once.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen unclasping of his long thin hands. said Mr. Holder. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the bed, and you in that chair." morning." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few three fields round his house, and there he would take his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Oh, no.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of the way of danger. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I see no marks." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But how could you guess what the motive was?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch may have an influence upon European history." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the despair." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has on in his house." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in for its centre. crowd. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his seven miles from Eyford Station.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the upon the shelf for the interim." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fluttered off among the others. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I cannot imagine." "'What then?' I asked. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then this Miss Turner." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you shaken than I had ever seen him. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I would give my fortune to have them back." voice. night.' said he. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what galvanised. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The chamber." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which were new raised from a basin.