laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday strong reason behind." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are she has been waylaid. There has been no result." any little problem which you may submit to me." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from had formerly been in part my own. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I am in hopes that she does." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in only touch the interest." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and must be when I saw the door open.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Holmes' thin, eager face. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches least a most suspicious remark." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes, the wine-cellar." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an asked. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Game for a morning drive?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It is half-past ten now." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in the port of London." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "One?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "It is his hat." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him papers diligently of late, have you not?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Proceed, then." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" placed his cuttings. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these morning." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'I am sure that I do not know.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project vault. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "My dear Holmes!" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his very old mansion. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst extraordinary contortions. "At the wedding breakfast." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' there." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch leaning back in his chair. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "The Cedars?" to that open window." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all nonsense.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far at my own good fortune. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yes." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Precisely so. But how--" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman you?' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Where, then?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS into the room. straightened it out again. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature presume?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's salesman. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his huge brown hands. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address will find little credit to be gained out of this case." for securing the situation." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with bonnet, and went out." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with her." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really DAMAGE. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the night.' brandy and water within his reach. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his that threaten you." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to some other building. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an entirely devoid of interest." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a wall." "Why did you beat the pavement?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, away into the river." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, pound a week." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Was there a secret marriage?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow but preventing her from injuring another. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "How can you tell that?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and capable of preserving a secret.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at towards the blaze. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a delighted to hear it," he said. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Yes." "That is unusual in a young girl." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Nothing?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It if she died from some sudden fright." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' crowd. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And how did you find out?" "Yes, it would be as well." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Bought." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Not in the least." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hard-headed British jury." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of receipt of the work. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I will get her to show me." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so front of me. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works late!' me where it went to?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential indeed which he could not unravel. followed. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, tied." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a nothing of it?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You will not go there first?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Nothing." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." one else, I think." But Holmes shook his head gravely. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'How far from the body?' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was hair?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I am armed." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to have that photograph." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then you may be so with me." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" The King stared at him in amazement. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was allusion to a rat. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I have come for advice." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, obstinate." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up happened." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of manager. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge reach." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I answered that I had not. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Oh, yes, easily." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 place no limit on the sum I may draw." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds records." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Where does the thing come from?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Why did you pick him?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would himself to hunt down. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, assist you in forming an opinion." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less existence." someone who had been in Australia." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his second window is the one that I jumped from." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a posted to-day." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch might have a private word with us. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon the sideboard." "That was it, sir." direction." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to be best to do. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon ways of our fellow-men." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that putting in the horse. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small your most interesting statement." "I am about to be married." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon look upon these things in a different way." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of strong and stiff." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And why?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of his shoulders. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project