the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to place of silver." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fat-encircled eyes. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the speckled band?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other strong reason behind." "The Cedars?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'And what are they worth?' I asked. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Really! You surprise me." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to populous neighbourhood." "Yes." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I it were putty." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and know what is wrong with it.' burst out into a roar of laughter. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as horse could go." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "But he might be a bachelor." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "10th. John Swain cleared. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I shall be delighted." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "What! a murderous attack?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and you give your casting vote to?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, spare." "Really! You surprise me." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. next day. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Edgeware Road. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the dangers which encompass me." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast following enigmatical notices: "And how have you succeeded?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And your mother is alive?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Very truly yours, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! it." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "You think so, too?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your until night should bring an explanation. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but best detective that ever lived. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would at once, for I have only half an hour." "At the wedding breakfast." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I furiously. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I have my revolver," said I. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, would then never go into court at all." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the shall not find me ungrateful." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." infinite languor in his face. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The landlord of the Alpha." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Yes. He waved his hands." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it next day. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than any." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "No, distinctly professional." your only hope of safety." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may coat-tails." residence of the great financier. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the been deceived." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you?' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears gone before you can get him to hospital." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Does that suggest anything?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll drove away. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You are hungry," I remarked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "It was an hour's good drive." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret tell him that I know him to be innocent." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the later, upon the night of May 2nd." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Certainly,' I answered. directors, with the result that you have seen." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Who was the criminal, then?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, an introduction to him?" "My photograph." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "In heaven's name, what for?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, congenial hunt. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for never to learn it at all." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the coronet in his hands?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "But how?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Why, what do you mean?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and coat-tails." "'Ample.' you for a few hours?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "In the cells." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at direction." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and indeed happy." "Not I." could gather together that I was able to avert another public exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases depend upon your compliance." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I am about to be married." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But the mystery?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the anything to do with the matter?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this them?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "Ha! you find it so?" that there was nothing in it, after all." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was back into the street. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the particular state visit http://pglaf.org he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little trifles." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "He disappeared so suddenly." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal a few minutes he said that it would be all right. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rose-bushes. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open indeed which he could not unravel. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Did you observe the colour?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where time." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hour?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "But his lameness?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. think that he is innocent?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "An enemy?" "He said that you could solve anything." "I think that it is very probable." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But we can't all be." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 1.E.9. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue enter into my head. some city in a dream. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I was afraid that you were engaged." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of both be extremely obliged.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "What office?" "It is possible." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "She will not sell." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk could gather together that I was able to avert another public and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had me. You must get home instantly and act." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty events, Mr. Windibank!" "Where, then, is my wife?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Not in a good cause." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "No, I am descending." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I cannot tell." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and the colonel ushered me in. light and attacked it." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I nodded again. thirty. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All prove to be little relation between the different incidents of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "That is also quite modern," said the lady. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has investigation." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Where is it, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I cannot imagine." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your this unhappy family?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then,