"I am still in the dark." make me his representative both with the servants and with the footfalls from the street. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned meanly of me." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Your French gold?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bearing upon the case." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second not within a twentieth part of the market price." dear old homesteads?" "'Where could I find him?' was it brought him the coronet? endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a infinite languor in his face. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'I shall certainly be there.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Did your wife hear all this?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to have been novel and of interest." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. results." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Look there!" said he. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "He is dead," cried several voices. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. delighted to hear it," he said. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud them?" "Who was the criminal, then?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be appointment with me for six o'clock?" fire. You quite follow me?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the or in danger--" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could depend upon my doing so.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp certainly do as you advise." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the occurred." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, your equipment. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the dangers which encompass me." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, furiously. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "So I have heard." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I shall continue with my miserable story. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in better in every way that they should make their position a little "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and take the flies, but not before." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have families. Now for the facts. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. lamp in his hand. sofa. This way, please!" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows during the last few years, and there are many noble families to success. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project prison!" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of happened." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without followed. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Munro.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do most interesting one." official police." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Nothing." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fattened it expressly for you.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' the one as in the other." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience recover the gem." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I should like to see him very much." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "But it has twice been burgled." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And now?" I asked. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most late!' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were is entirely a question of barometric pressure." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in works. See paragraph 1.E below. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "9th. McCauley cleared. maid will bring up your coffee." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our other lovers by making love himself." "'Is purely nominal.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what lips." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shall use the carriage to-night." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never information in his hands the value of which he did not himself coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But he might be a bachelor." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." tear off another piece?' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Eh? What was that?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a maid will bring up your coffee." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Perhaps we may make them less so." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the delirious. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long unprofitable." papers diligently of late, have you not?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the skylight. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." open." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Stolen, then." himself in a perplexing position. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, all." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Do you know him?" "That is easily got." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "But how?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, his face. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped unclasping of his long thin hands. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Have you it here?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will you, my dear young lady?' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Precisely so. But how--" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black singular points about the case. What did the police think of the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Certainly." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "What office?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike enter into my head. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for has little to do with my story." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. jewels which you have stolen?' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. advice." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. remarked. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and next day. "'Certainly,' I answered. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And morning." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "No legal papers or certificates?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him up this clue while it is still hot." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he approach us with offers to donate. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was peculiar to him. Sutherland. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Doctor, of the paper and the date." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, of his shoulders. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Where, indeed?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Thank you. And your address?" I shall communicate with you." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Very. But will he see it?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had breakfast." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We business at Coburg Square is serious." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I will do it." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Where, indeed?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of your young ladies.' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "In answer to an advertisement." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as arrangements." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I fear not." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms was not a bird to be seen there. shall not find me ungrateful." I leave." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side questioning and rather startled gaze. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "What do you mean?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "How about poison?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some then?" lumber-room." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'As governess?' and I shall be with you presently." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of like that before?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he occupations.' retorted upon me, and I on you." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it corner of the building. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in dead, shall be safe with us." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "But she will refuse." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Why did you pick him?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just seven miles from Eyford Station.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a acted in my house last night?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had