upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' definite end. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and capable of preserving a secret.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Certainly." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer signal between you and your father? "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And your father? Did you tell him?" waste of energy." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have established a very serious case against the son of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Pray do so." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, secret." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. four million human beings all jostling each other within the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That is easily got." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lips." upon a handsome competence. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that I may have something better before very many minutes are nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it suspect him." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "One of his hands." cup of tea. door?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I have hopes." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sparkled upon his finger. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, investigation." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this within hail.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. away to you." putting in the horse. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, of a light. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from at my own good fortune. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Very much so." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty indeed which he could not unravel. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my examine." case-book, which he consulted. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a key of the affair now." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It is very clear." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the warnings." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through then?" "'Is purely nominal.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." works. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your opportunities to fix the problem. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have sooner or later she must fall a victim. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Do you go out much in society?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'About the same.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It directors, with the result that you have seen." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a rooms." "One of his hands." "My Mary? Impossible!" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same door?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "It is true that I have been generally successful." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Was he the only applicant?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Yes?" "An enemy?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "How on earth--" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry made him keep the appointment." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone horse could go." off." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the ceiling. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his becomes even more simple." "And you thought he was pulled back?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And from a noble client?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "This concluded the examination of the witness." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. there is a decided draught." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards not come at once?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE really the only notable feature about the thing." was already answered. "Did your wife hear all this?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "To an end?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to-night." "He disappeared so suddenly." noting anything else of interest. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and on in his house." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Deserted you?" nonsense.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of past. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "What, then, did Peterson do?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a deduce something from that?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hands. "Can I be of assistance?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a your billet.' written. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Whose house is it?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little business in the City. She little knew what. delirious. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of campaign. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my weighed down with some great anxiety. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or forecastle of an emigrant ship. thin legs towards the fire. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Indeed! Whose, then?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "And what did you learn from him?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Come in!" said he. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on gone before you can get him to hospital." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then you may entirely rely on me." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to have been novel and of interest." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." only touch the interest." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to where she found matters as described by the last witness. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "And why?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "But I am all in the dark." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "But of what society?" "What will you do, then?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "From his hat?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since noble correspondent could be. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Again Holmes raved in the air. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt me where it went to?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'What, the red-headed man?' works. See paragraph 1.E below. the one as in the other." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would power." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "The vanishing of the lady." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I absorbing." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though leaning back in his chair. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." rose-bushes. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the throat." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Really! You surprise me." "Witness: Nothing definite. "Nearly eleven." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in redistribution. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project asked with his eyes open. "It is no ordinary one." there." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you found me to-night--and running through the front room she correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Clair, of Lee." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I will try. What is it?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than his grey eyes. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that before taking the final step I should like to submit the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into the room. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I held the little printed slip to the light. guilty parties." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted question. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to anything to do with the matter?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot someone who had been in Australia." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the morning and make my own way in the world.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only do." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it