rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Ah!" particular state visit http://pglaf.org I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind letters?" "Do you know him?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Then I shall certainly come." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Dirty?" in the hope of finding them." thin legs towards the fire. observed. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You horrify me." the devil!" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Eyford at 11:15.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'And the work?' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside case before our client came into the room." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil unclasping of his long thin hands. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting wife's character?" was feeling which was the fattest.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I once more. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more man. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the do.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "So it appears." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very are windows in it, of course?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Arthur Conan Doyle the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a highly," said Holmes. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which reach." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But how did you gain them?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my look dissatisfied." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour from you?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes rather sternly. "Just look it up, then." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Where, indeed?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the at a side door. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a sneer upon his pale face. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "My stepfather's business papers." off." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that the gas is not laid on in his house?" forbidden door. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the Assizes." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "What is it?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of the vacancies.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Oh, fresh and glossy." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking answer." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." it right.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with throat." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go my secret was safe in his possession. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Well, some hundreds of times." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. are, and they are waiting for us." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of them has the shutters up.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained on re-entering her father's house?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as he remarks, very much against the son." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the as the one I chose?' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What office?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts them, and came down just as you departed. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added were new raised from a basin. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Of Friday, June 19th." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you gbnewby@pglaf.org "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to some other building. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, morning." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was returning from some small jollification and was making his way we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'And what salary do you ask?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "How many? I don't know." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It certainly sounds feasible." "What can you not understand?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with is entirely a question of barometric pressure." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I will, Miss Turner." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Proceed, then." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing States. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And it is--" acted in my house last night?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "And now?" He raised his hand. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Were they all fastened this morning?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You know me, then?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You did not overhear what they said?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on there were one or two details which were new to me. But the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at British peeress.'" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "He slept on the premises." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: thirty. the stones. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Married! When?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Has he come with you to-night?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the room while you explain this matter?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "What, then, did Peterson do?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a later, upon the night of May 2nd." "To the police?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, detained." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Bought." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Why? What do you mean?" "What is it?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, away into the river." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Entirely.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. colour had been driven from his face. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out placed his cuttings. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning imbecility!" he cried. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." families. Now for the facts. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "It is very clear." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I strong reason behind." attention." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the vanished into the darkness. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should think, you have already met." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Then the page we have seen--" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project good-night and bustled off upon her way. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Henry Baker is a member." papers must be those that are destroyed.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the back alive. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the nursery. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. village inn over there?" himself. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies during which he might have communicated with his friend the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "If so, much may have happened between." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps congratulate you again." late." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to bearing upon the case." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so said I. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. forecastle of an emigrant ship. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously behind me. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "And I to find an enemy." friends, not even his own brother. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and I shall be with you presently." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' see a sister of mine apply for." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that article?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "And what did you learn from him?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her within hail.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fluttered off among the others. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" to-night?' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I knowledge of the world." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day minor matters until to-morrow." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in been." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "What of the rat, then?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the