manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as perplexity from it to my illustrious client. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is taking in every detail of the apartment. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand married her." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I gentleman's clothes. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that?' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar not come at once?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put some terrible trap for her." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How can you tell that?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I see no marks." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Not in the least." not within a twentieth part of the market price." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see in your London, you will know that the office of the company is said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town him." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to keep the flames under. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there companion quietly. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the one as in the other." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, envelope. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Did you become engaged then?" or in danger--" business in the City. She little knew what. "I cannot tell." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hair?' fattened it expressly for you.' records." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are them?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. least a most suspicious remark." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the tragedy. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Certainly." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "No, but the enclosure is." "Was the window open?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It was an hour's good drive." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I cannot imagine." there has been an enclosure here!" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of receipt of the work. despair." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran opened the door, and slipped through. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here derbies." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "None. Neville wrote those words." your equipment. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have one." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us standing smiling on the door-step. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Your presence might be invaluable." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Never to return." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little he died? as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Come in!" said he. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "We must have a cab." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Yes." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have been better. It is all right." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I guessed as much." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt against a man in the prime of life?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, cigars in their mouths. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been all that?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you, my dear young lady?' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Was the window open?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wedding?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and glanced through. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her shoulder. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with her." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Ten will be early enough." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps events than those which have happened in my own family." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fuss that is made over them." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with behind me. "But who is he?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you child?' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." said I. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before bare slabs of marble. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old It may be so in this case, also." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "It surprised me." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was not personally threatened." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and wait." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer is entirely a question of barometric pressure." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him take the flies, but not before." Street. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if eat it." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with think you a quite exceptional woman." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there an introduction to him?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution fattened it expressly for you.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. London for the present?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do like gravel from a pit.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a horse could go." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Bought." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such IS "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him thought that she would have been so carried away." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fire. You quite follow me?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was man. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the upon the shelf for the interim." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was used.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then you may be so with me." noting anything else of interest. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know morning." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "VIOLET HUNTER." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Then I can wait in the next room." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire disappearance of the bride.'" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "None." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "If I can be of use." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without business in the City. She little knew what. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the My friend smiled. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it had this final quarrel? "Why, what do you mean?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut and put his glass in his pocket. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." married her." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." is acting for the best. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat horse could go." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It's nothing of the kind." grasp, he hurried from the room. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the will be renamed. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this night.' said he. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban evidence," I remarked. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "No, but the enclosure is." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I galvanised. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey whereabouts. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes, at the mines." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I directly by questioning you." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful here and I will read it to you: used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after house for five minutes.' "BALLARAT." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chamber." "Entirely." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It is solved." meant." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Stolen." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the one as in the other." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Sutherland. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "In San Francisco, a year ago." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the asked with his eyes open. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Certainly, madam." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a new acquaintance to Baker Street. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his your most interesting statement." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the