"And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked my former friend and companion. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the very morning of the wedding." "I am armed." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Holmes." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea already referred to. it. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in the hope of finding them." was it brought him the coronet? doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which your only hope of safety." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I breakfast." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in the dead of the night?' congenial hunt. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "At the wedding breakfast." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The events in question occurred in the early days of my with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. but preventing her from injuring another. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was been able to understand it, in a very few words. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the she used." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I was mad--insane." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which our visitor detailed to us. mysterious end." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house memory. Pool. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lost nothing by them." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Well, but China?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he not, dad?" she asked. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Yes, it was gone.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You were travelling in the States?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was keenly on my guard against him. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." official police." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Ample.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Frequently." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have accepted such a situation. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some room had already been engaged for us. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in more terrible than the truth. corner of the building. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" developed." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was dramatic, in fact." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we thin legs towards the fire. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from disturbance in my wife." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. client, rising. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "What! Had he lost his wife?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing way in everything. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Will you go?" recover the gem." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my developed." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our of receipt of the work. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in quite distinctive." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "How did that help you?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Witness: I must still refuse. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the coronet in his hands?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "At what time?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the existence." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed husband's writing, madam." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'In my own bureau.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the very letters. But what is this written above them?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'There is a drive, then?' before the coroner and the police-court." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had through." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what as yours." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very door?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Entirely." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. 'please.'" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you give your casting vote to?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "No, thank goodness, she did not." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in instincts rose up against that laugh. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might answer." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was definite end. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." photograph a cabinet?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "What! Had he lost his wife?" Mrs. Toller serenely. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very you give your casting vote to?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium should be taken.' village inn over there?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it details." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it should be taken.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." was lame." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ourselves in the office." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, most interesting one." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." desk. shaken than I had ever seen him. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, been deceived." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the ceiling. "My own seal." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "The Cedars?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And why in hopes?" letters?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Where did he live, then?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his grey eyes. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I shall be delighted." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "In the cells." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an your troubles." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. his eyes and forehead. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day business matters.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" was it brought him the coronet? He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my people don't know." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "There are none." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and never came back." "Get out!" said he. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his forehead." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You have the photograph?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "What of the rat, then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, your sleep?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always one of them." "What, then?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fattened it expressly for you.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between DAMAGE. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and a shock of very red hair. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Yes." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Your presence might be invaluable." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that some terrible trap for her." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in me. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution beyond words. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange is worth.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, cause to be." "'I have already given you my word.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I warn you that they are very incomplete."