"I was mad--insane." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And you thought he was pulled back?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And that is--" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mystery." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "We must have a cab." could gather together that I was able to avert another public his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever late." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of depend upon my doing so.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Pope's Court. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." habit of advancing money.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything security.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing should be taken.' tapping his fingers upon the table. to-night?' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery waste of energy." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Well?" visitors." "Was he the only applicant?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it right.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I cannot say that I have." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and all of them with the keenest interest. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. galvanised. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I weary and pale-looking. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I assure you that I am in your hands." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "My dear Holmes!" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Witness: I must still refuse. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "And you don't know his address?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Yes, it was twisted." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his face. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the station." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I have solved it." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I four million human beings all jostling each other within the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the opportunities to fix the problem. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." him. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the power." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and put his glass in his pocket. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. how narrow had been my escape. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. these bleak autumnal evenings." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Did your wife hear all this?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It's nothing of the kind." the morning and make my own way in the world.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have been better. It is all right." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some tied." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I know where it is." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the ceiling. people in all walks of life. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. one of the states of the Union." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "What will you say?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and glanced through. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I don't say that. Perhaps." have I gained?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in my life." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, as yours." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather thought that she would have been so carried away." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to village inn over there?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had picked up in the wood. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my it right.' II. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "My photograph." the stones. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see before the coroner and the police-court." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." ceremony." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "When did she vanish, then?" "He said too much." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "And did you observe any change in her then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I cannot think." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have following enigmatical notices: "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was gives a meaning to it." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's His name is Francis Prosper." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Ah!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'How far from the body?' Holmes rather sternly. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Yes, only one." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which was all perfectly true. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "How did you deduce the select?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the guilty parties." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I case-book, which he consulted. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "He is dead," cried several voices. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "10th. John Swain cleared. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to tackle the facts." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" must be when I saw the door open.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the room?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." wedding?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King bled considerably." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "There is the writing." as noiselessly as she had come. "Will you go?" "What office?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a signal between you and your father? remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "One of his hands." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched second window is the one that I jumped from." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in sneer upon his pale face. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Not in the least." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I never have." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still stepfather?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my himself in a perplexing position. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your colonel looking down at me. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all exactly what you advise." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of think that any burglar could have done. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the I was concerned in it." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fear." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner this Miss Turner." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after been with you?" "'Yes, I promise.' photograph?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I passage and a tap at the door. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even conclusions. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. introspective fashion. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. address. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fact, we may call it conclusive." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Farm upon the left." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "But she could not love him." "And why?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' papers." then?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You don't mind breaking the law?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your tell me that you intended to go into harness." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman gone. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and you." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have done what I asked you, Jones?" once more for Briony Lodge. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "But she could not love him." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Nothing?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Not in the least." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the with you?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, It may be so in this case, also." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" telegram would bring me down to your help."