unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way orange pips. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the there when the Rucastles went away." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "None." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 highly," said Holmes. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Then I shall certainly come." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Really! You surprise me." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "In heaven's name, what for?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see main points of my analysis." with her." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Sutherland?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." anything to do with the matter?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the just ask you whether you had heard it.' Have you good authority for what you say?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fasten all the windows?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his cane at the bell-pull. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "And what then?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any highly," said Holmes. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "To the police?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian drove away. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Not I." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I cannot imagine." said I. whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? obstinate." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would he died? have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "There is the writing." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "What steps will you take?" I asked. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My stepfather's business papers." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'I am sure if I had known--' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might letters?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses examination of the premises, but without finding anything which greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the house with me." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I way in everything. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I should wish to." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a suddenly upon us." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is details." thirty. paper in the air. "They are typewritten," I remarked. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "This photograph!" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would mysterious end." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Oh, fresh and glossy." been with you?" the very morning of the wedding." "Have you it here?" in one or two places in England?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into upon the shelf for the interim." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his grey eyes. me. You must get home instantly and act." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and had a long day." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. her also." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Here?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What is it?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite for and were ordered to this address. with you?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several colonel looking down at me. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and the whole place is in a blaze." fire. You quite follow me?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Entirely." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the night.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in been deceived." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the side-table." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. father's young wife. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his advice." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good you for a few hours?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room said he. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Your sister is dead, then?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous time." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. there!' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" think that he is innocent?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to placed his cuttings. "I was sure that I might rely on you." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His salesman. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." again, where I was soon asleep. "Bought." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be despair." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Certainly." stood on the top of it. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I am about to be married." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the matter?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he straighten it?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your which was all perfectly true. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Street. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly case before our client came into the room." "Where to?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And I to find an enemy." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 window when the police appeared." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Come in!" said he. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" questioning and rather startled gaze. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "When did she vanish, then?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Why did you pick him?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. might help us?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" me where it went to?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Pool. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Then what has happened to him?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property was it brought him the coronet? "My dear Holmes!" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." these bleak autumnal evenings." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wedding?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Who was the criminal, then?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a already been minutely examined." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he astonishment. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind do you make of it all?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held detective. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "And why?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been written. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so some place of shelter and let the county police know what has purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yes. He waved his hands." "Always." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that green of the new foliage. upon a handsome competence. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But what is it you wish?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "None." "Of what?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything speckled band?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where true." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Then what has happened to him?" derbies." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It is half-past ten now." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I most interesting one." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself dramatic, in fact." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Well, but China?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from or in danger--" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "You don't mind breaking the law?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London have got?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the coronet in his hands?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a tied." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the too. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I cannot imagine." get her out of the way." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But I have heard all that you have heard." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What are they?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "But you have hopes?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I following enigmatical notices: and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged coroner's jury." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," about. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried so far?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to business in the City. She little knew what. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the devil!" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "One?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I leave." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." how narrow had been my escape. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you visitors." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the learned something! Where are the gems?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But he might be a bachelor." second window is the one that I jumped from." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Not him." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our door?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I see no marks." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Stolen." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "No. His orders were to stay in the house." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of campaign. "You are hungry," I remarked. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at into her hand at the door and which lured her within their about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of crowd. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "We must have a cab." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think tension within him.