From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray status with the IRS. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong chemical work which was so dear to him. lips." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my comes from the middle window." to have been novel and of interest." 'please.'" "Yes." it." with you alone." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." back to my heart. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. again, where I was soon asleep. depend upon my doing so.' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal conclusions. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined like that before?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But I am all in the dark." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, opened the door, and slipped through. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. me." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Where is it, then?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ashen face. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon long narrative. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Then I shall certainly come." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it answer." comes from the middle window." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms papers." "'How far from the body?' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Chief Executive and Director without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him upon the sideboard." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich business?" "Yes." "Yes." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "That was it, sir." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the touch that coronet?' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "But what harm can there be in that?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a there!' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. instincts rose up against that laugh. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you was not a bird to be seen there. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. possible that we could bring him back to her? the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. to tackle the facts." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am all attention, madam." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass occupations.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bled considerably." said he at last. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his knees, staring into the fire. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. It may be so in this case, also." said I. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and effective." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I say it is." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. bears upon the case?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and wait." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" in this way: through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and maid will bring up your coffee." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the my little problems." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me himself in a perplexing position. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of asked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which everything which you would wish to know." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the cheerful." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "He disappeared so suddenly." made him keep the appointment." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which through." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the he. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the station." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could was used.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "We must have a cab." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money once more to my work. "I cannot imagine." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I least a fellow-countryman. footfalls from the street. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" observed. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in this way: "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it a room. him nearly every evening." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped tell me that you intended to go into harness." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." closing the door. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an friend's singular character. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of murdered man." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Does that suggest anything?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I as yours." at my own good fortune. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And why?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who British peeress.'" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. The summons was a brief and urgent one. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Your sister is dead, then?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and the church but not where the lady lived." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" have not had my rubber." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his wife has ceased to love him." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'It is locked up,' I answered. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the forebodings. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." License. You must require such a user to return or nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five interests were the same as his." go--none." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, goes." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love His smile broadened. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really you give your casting vote to?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and empty. heavy and sharp instrument." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he you give your casting vote to?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the south-west, I see." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away any more." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Quite so." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "A greater distance to travel." "Why serious?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either opportunities to fix the problem. "'Certainly not. But why?' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to him. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I investigation." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "He said too much." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What, then, did Peterson do?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. man. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced with you alone." "There is the writing." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Then you may be so with me." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you." official police." "Perfectly so." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between matters immensely." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Nothing." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What shall I do?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I answered that I had not. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his huge brown hands. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole habit of advancing money.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But how?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you in yours." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And sit in the dark?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ventilator." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was events, Mr. Windibank!" "The murder was done with it." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Here?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend when your master had gone out." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a was shining brightly. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security open." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for