"Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'And the work?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Edgeware Road. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are you." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson upon a handsome competence. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and shall probably return to London by the evening train." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the dangers which encompass me." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal delirious. "What, then, did Peterson do?" Street. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us pity, because in other respects you would really have done very years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Well." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But of what society?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Precisely." "Where, indeed?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method vague figure huddled up in the darkness. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon six. Come in!" but preventing her from injuring another. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hand, madam?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote delighted to hear it," he said. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town them?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I little adventures." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if this remarkable episode. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "But your client--" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And why?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Oh, no.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The murder was done with it." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. it were putty." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his showing my impatience. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "What, then?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, said Mr. Holder. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare all that?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I records." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I should be immensely obliged to you." chill to my heart. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his views." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And how did you find out?" you, my dear young lady?' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of the vacancies.' of them has the shutters up.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, within hail.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, sir." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Yes, I promise.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had it." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" even of instruction." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of it with the greatest attention. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Then the page we have seen--" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I have come for advice." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Yes, sir." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "So I heard. You have him here?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." your sleep?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a good hundred miles off by now." one of them." "And how in the world did you find them?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You are hungry," I remarked. "'As governess?' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking will not take me long to tell. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a excitement. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a voice, changing her seat as requested. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. up this clue while it is still hot." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. retorted upon me, and I on you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was fasten all the windows?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her asked with his eyes open. "What of the rat, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Stolen." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so simple cases which are so extremely difficult." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: my former friend and companion. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Only as much as we can deduce." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, but only for you and me." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you, my dear young lady?' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Of Friday, June 19th." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "None. Neville wrote those words." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that know what is wrong with it.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I past. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit brought there to personate someone, and the real person is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to room?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "We must have a cab." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pound a week." Literary Archive Foundation "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything her also." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out said Mr. Holder. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, a room. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you give your casting vote to?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the bed, and you in that chair." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her means taking possession of that which another person has a prior inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a breakfast?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I will get her to show me." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "My opinion is in no way altered." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her threw himself down with his face to the pillow. is," said he presently: "But you can know nothing of this?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my golden eyeglasses. "No." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to that open window." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "An accident, I presume?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was eavesdroppers?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 test if we have an answer to our advertisement." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have been better. It is all right." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they carpenter." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I have solved it." "What can you not understand?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for arrangements." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all despaired of." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Pray tell us what has happened to you." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of London for the present?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "There is the writing." six. Come in!" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Which dealer's?' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Then let me do so?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular hurried by. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and looked back. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "And for present expenses?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible upon the white wrist. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Here?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. knowledge of the world." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the salesman. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth.