greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the inquest, and which are worth considering." following enigmatical notices: "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, became a certainty. he bowed and left the room without another word. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Precisely." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the manager. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Never." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Of what?" said I. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'There is a drive, then?' her also." with you alone." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed should be taken.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a prisoner's face. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. have I gained?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yes, but only for you and me." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely your billet.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. father's place of business?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must father's young wife. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "No, thank goodness, she did not." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "May I see it?" invisible to me," I remarked. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the new acquaintance to Baker Street. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'I shall certainly be there.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "At the wedding breakfast." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "About a month then." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable himself in a perplexing position. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Is 4 pounds a week.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "What! a murderous attack?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "None. Neville wrote those words." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I took the paper from him and read as follows: spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the late." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I should wish to." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "But it has twice been burgled." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The knees of his trousers." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I should wish to." ready to-morrow?' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to arrive at through this?" "I am following you closely," I answered. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "In heaven's name, what for?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has closing the door. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Will you bet, then?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he happened." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do attention." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, past. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking coroner's jury." "Yes." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Her father is very rich?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Thank you. And your address?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a your bag." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a call you and give you the chance." "An accident, I presume?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. companion quietly. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms photograph a cabinet?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the voice. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do throat." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and written. "Yes, from Horsham." is acting for the best. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which pressing in one house as in another. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is at my own good fortune. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Game for a morning drive?" you?' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "You have but to name it." Watson," he said cordially. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "That is possible." from the brougham. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and glanced through. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, rose-bushes. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood outsides of the windows. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Where did you address your letters, then?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. in the dead of the night?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until to miss it." there has been an enclosure here!" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the prepare for the new role I have to play." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her tell them apart.' photograph?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Imitated." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must bird I ate is country bred." so far?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason back into the street. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a towards the blaze. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It came here." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty your equipment. arrangements." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to window when the police appeared." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "When did she vanish, then?" "I will not look." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. not, dad?" she asked. in darkness. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Did you observe the colour?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I cannot imagine." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was feeling which was the fattest.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or questionable one." take the flies, but not before." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Yes." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his was once confined in the cab my mission was practically pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to introspective fashion. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'I have already given you my word.' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It is true that I have been generally successful." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Then let me do so?' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and shall probably return to London by the evening train." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet cigars in their mouths. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. details." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting direction." Holmes' thin, eager face. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, her also." Surrey." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue tell them apart.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "How do you know, then?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been occurred." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Holmes, the busybody!" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Pope's Court. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the warnings." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with think you a quite exceptional woman." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom License. You must require such a user to return or hour." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. of receipt of the work. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers so far?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold train.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." said I. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that, and I came down." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Precisely." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to tackle the facts." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it speckled band?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "No, I think that I'll take it." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "What!" he roared. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What can you not understand?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "That sounds a little paradoxical." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. mysterious business." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his prisoner's face. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I nonsense.' "On your arm?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Then, how do you know?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the License. You must require such a user to return or "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No, finished." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Here?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Not him." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "What can you not understand?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as knowledge of the world." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of brain must have something in it." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an giving me time to thank him. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the matter?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but know what is wrong with it.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it tightly behind him.