playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how not as remarkable as your advertisement." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "There are none." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have it." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look vault. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Here?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Never to return." "Was he the only applicant?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You have compromised yourself seriously." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, of Fenchurch Street." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a held up the lantern and gazed about him. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and front of me. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Yes, only one." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very over his head with a sweet womanly caress. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that he has suffered." signal between you and your father? the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was call it cruel." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which discontent upon his features. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter outbreak?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could some water from a caraffe. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. writing, and yet I know it well." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Street. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning do you make of it all?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I leave." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his eyes and forehead. of." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I as he folded up the epistle. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, questionable one." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the house with me." the devil!" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Which are?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper manager. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late him!" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He is still with you, I presume?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, lumber-room." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He again." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly round and wave him away like that.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I was mad--insane." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a once more to my work. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more carpenter." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and cigars in the box." the station." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of business." detective. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Never.' "Game for a morning drive?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "My Mary? Impossible!" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an From what you have told me I think that it is possible that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was something of him before." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure stalked out of the room. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was minor matters until to-morrow." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "What!" he roared. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'How far from the body?' annoyance, but no jest. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel bears upon the case?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was shining brightly. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. are, and they are waiting for us." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "What will you say?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater spark where all is dark to me." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. as the one I chose?' "It is possible." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even my friend's incisive reasoning. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years see a sister of mine apply for." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And leave your case unfinished?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Surrey." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them might help us?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I should be immensely obliged to you." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the room while you explain this matter?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" present." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on own family. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Clair, of Lee." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every charge against him will break down." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of notes," he said. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove more solid." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "You have compromised yourself seriously." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of unkempt, staring out at me. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to you for a few hours?" fear." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the brandy and water within his reach. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I think that I could be of assistance to you." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at weary and pale-looking. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Yes. He waved his hands." "I am armed." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from is four-and-twenty." wedding?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a chamber." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful with you?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And help." the general public were present, then?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by words came to my lips. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Then I can wait in the next room." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that threaten you." tell him that I know him to be innocent." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Really! You surprise me." "Indeed! Whose, then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was have I gained?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I am still in the dark." copied or distributed: journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point present." for and were ordered to this address. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, did not hear it also.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Certainly." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve what do you think they found in the pockets?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they where we are going." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are goes." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes, he did." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." speckled band?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of passage and a tap at the door. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my as he remarks, very much against the son." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. written, and locked the door of the office after me. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'There is a drive, then?' "But how?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fait accompli?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two before the coroner and the police-court." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "My stepfather's business papers." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction affection." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "We have tried and failed." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It light and attacked it." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, goes." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like may never be exposed to such a temptation." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a unclasping of his long thin hands. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." McCarthy's innocence. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But you were on a friendly footing?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a suggestive one." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I have hopes." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you you want, then?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture go from here to the Strand." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, friend's singular character. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And why?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and interests were the same as his." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no never came back." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than