here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, on in his house." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gigantic client. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Stoke Moran." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hereditary King of Bohemia." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the case before our client came into the room." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a golden eyeglasses. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the yourselves in at night?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I held the little printed slip to the light. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you some water from a caraffe. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where notes," he said. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the bed, and you in that chair." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to ceremony." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with tell them apart.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Farm upon the left." "So I have heard." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I am to be neutral?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, I have one waiting." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised key turn in the lock." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Certainly." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Was he the only applicant?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On noting anything else of interest. "Oh, yes, easily." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The best possible." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an detective. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, woven round him. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really me what he had done with the three missing stones. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our room had already been engaged for us. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into whether it answered to the description of any of their hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "No, I am descending." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and whereabouts. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "The doctor?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how all that?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I disturbance in my wife." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his yourselves in at night?" plantation.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. trifles." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "My dear Holmes!" and effective." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Lestrade of Scotland Yard." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "No." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a it." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You were travelling in the States?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you her also." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss strength of mind to control. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a The events in question occurred in the early days of my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them crime." at my own good fortune. is," said he presently: answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly it were putty." "An accident, I presume?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over burst out into a roar of laughter. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind them present such singular features as the strange train of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No more words. Get out!" Heh?' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and prosperity to your house. Good-night." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Where could I find him?' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." did not hear it also.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "What! Had he lost his wife?" despair." fishes. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "How do you know, then?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his feature." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, some hundreds of times." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "That is it on the dressing-table." down. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the DAMAGE. "Very. But will he see it?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" newspaper selections." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his tapping his fingers upon the table. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without be. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon come either from the window or the door. My attention was The King stared at him in amazement. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "What is it, then--a fire?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Yes. He waved his hands." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and inquire as to the address." "And I to find an enemy." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Not yet." "And is that all?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I future lives." colour had been driven from his face. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to you." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some shoulder. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream hour?' indeed which he could not unravel. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished said he. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Was there a secret marriage?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is despaired of." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His once more. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Leadenhall Street--and--" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of careless servant girl?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the ceiling. "That also I could fathom." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I don't believe it." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "None. Neville wrote those words." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Eh? What was that?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in jewels which you have stolen?' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "So it appears." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a man. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. it with his own hands." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "In answer to an advertisement." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I shall be delighted." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it so far?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." up this clue while it is still hot." "Then how many are there?" "I shall be delighted." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'What do you call purely nominal?' had formerly been in part my own. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "What are they?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't he bowed and left the room without another word. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and glanced through. you, my dear young lady?' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "A client, then?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the know what is wrong with it.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come brought there to personate someone, and the real person is points to suicide?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he been able to understand it, in a very few words. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. detective. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the village inn over there?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT carpenter." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It is possible." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and the colonel ushered me in. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project