as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram indeed happy." house for five minutes.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the chair. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," as yours." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. recover the gem." "I will do it." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely business?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of opportunities to fix the problem. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is writing, and yet I know it well." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a as he remarks, very much against the son." "'And the work?' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their exactly what you advise." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are ready to-morrow?' you?" "'I am sure if I had known--' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. records." what these perils are?" depend upon your compliance." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." vault. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'A dozen yards or so.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her business in the City. She little knew what. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to 1.F. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No legal papers or certificates?" "And sit in the dark?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, about here speaks of his kindness to him." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. quite distinctive." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Nothing?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "He said that you could solve anything." "What! Had he lost his wife?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either cup of tea. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with you alone." "You are hungry," I remarked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to tackle the facts." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder should be so warm over such a trifle." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Will you go?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "BALLARAT." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by conceal it?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" straightened it out again. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "What shall I do?" them?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What, then?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Yes, all." "And help." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Get out!" said he. third from London." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I do." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "We were both in the photograph." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." excitement. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "What are they?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have tear off another piece?' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is friend's singular character. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that one of them." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went tell them apart.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. gentleman's clothes. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not might help us?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was shining brightly. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: man. "No. What a strange idea!" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Tired-looking or fresh?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I address. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the iron safe, which he closed upon it. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Absolutely?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "No." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sooner or later she must fall a victim. Eyford." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'I am sure that I do not know.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what his huge brown hands. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Of what?" "Very murderous indeed." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in this note: you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." meant." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And help." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which events, Mr. Windibank!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." such attractions and accomplishments?' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You think that he is dead?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hand, madam?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Married! When?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sound at heart." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, all." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of fine shops and stately business premises that they really over here." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the might have a private word with us. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very front of the hall door has given its name to the place. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a this as likely?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the security.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You will not go there first?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I have hopes." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Pope's Court. himself to hunt down. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come public press." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Certainly." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your depend upon your compliance." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Mary, has deserted me." hurried by. it. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Does that suggest anything?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "No." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. lamp. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. me. You must get home instantly and act." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and have this put in the evening papers." "She showed me, as I told you she would." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Do you know him?" least a fellow-countryman. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted mysterious end." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Henry Baker is a member." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his said I. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." note?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, despaired of." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who only touch the interest." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their bears upon the case?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And how?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself this remarkable episode. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to take care of herself." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much ceremony." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable as this. Pray let me have the details." are, and they are waiting for us." "Not him." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and the whole place is in a blaze." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes,