expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this him to go away.' "At the wedding breakfast." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the business matters.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, morning." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "A greater distance to travel." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found you?' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an cost them two and thirty pounds." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me front of the hall door has given its name to the place. had this final quarrel? am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed photograph a cabinet?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But how?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I fear not." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "To the police?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It missed him, then?" "What will you do, then?" it." think, you have already met." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Thank you. Pray proceed." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'I have already given you my word.' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the closely." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "That is possible." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my there has been an enclosure here!" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "By no means." which we had just quitted. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "But it has twice been burgled." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the soul! here is her carriage at the door." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "But she will refuse." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. future lives." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Pray do so." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies crowd. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away this as likely?" quite distinctive." entirely devoid of interest." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought do.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an dramatic, in fact." fasten all the windows?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner you give your casting vote to?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No good news?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the King without delay." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. McCarthy's innocence. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in what I may call a really hard day's work." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you habit of advancing money.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the had this final quarrel? giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I cannot imagine." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is possible." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered already been minutely examined." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly that he will be back before evening." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you upon a handsome competence. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Stolen!' he cried. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the child." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "What, then?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still sooner or later she must fall a victim. were wasted." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at him." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the our word." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the loss of it. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave details." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should dramatic, in fact." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is a common subject for conversation. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something putting in the horse. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from excitement. disappearance of these gems?" distinguish the words: The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in interests were the same as his." the coronet in his hand?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "So I heard. You have him here?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a maid will bring up your coffee." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you for a few hours?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I before the coroner and the police-court." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry It may be so in this case, also." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You will not go there first?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions ran thus: in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat His name is Francis Prosper." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At answer." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must purpose equally well?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Mary, has deserted me." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I should be immensely obliged to you." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "She will not sell." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, foresight and the moral retrogression?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "On your arm?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of a light. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'Yes, it was gone.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what prison!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "On your arm?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. over here." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, case before our client came into the room." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and at once, for I have only half an hour." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a open." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And you thought he was pulled back?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight matter." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Certainly not.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue one's self under obligations.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can horse could go." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. discontent upon his features. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and despaired of." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Can I be of assistance?" "Stolen, then." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, handed it to him. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "None." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a address. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the one as in the other." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "How did you deduce the select?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "But the mystery?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It is possible." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making room had already been engaged for us. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But what is it you wish?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever must be when I saw the door open.' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'As governess?' "And the murderer?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A coat-tails." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "They are typewritten," I remarked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate tassel actually lying upon the pillow. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my it." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." did not hear it also.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated compunction about shooting them down." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Nothing." murdered man." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon said I. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fact, we may call it conclusive." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not