unprofitable." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross clang of the bell. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building business in the City. She little knew what. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Count Von Kramm." murdered man." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Lee, in the county of Kent." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "At what time?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to important." 'please.'" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That is possible." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country detained." "It is no ordinary one." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came room had already been engaged for us. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, direction." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest money should be paid at once.' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for second window is the one that I jumped from." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I cannot as yet see any connection." too. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what happened." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very orange pips. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the tension within him. girl said." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out searched, without anything being found which could incriminate matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and any." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold him to go away.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'As governess?' stood on the top of it. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. that you can jump it.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his affection." have one." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is wedding?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. your most interesting statement." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." villagers almost as much as their master. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were I. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I should wish to." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I think that I could be of assistance to you." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking outbreak?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said him nearly every evening." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: case before our client came into the room." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "And you thought he was pulled back?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cause to be." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much chair. said he. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "This concluded the examination of the witness." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as go back?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to-night." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "BALLARAT." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" murdered man." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I am to be neutral?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years What do you deduce from it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The feature." "Certainly, madam." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. photograph?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "That sounds a little paradoxical." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wanted for ourselves." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But you were on a friendly footing?" fuss that is made over them." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you were new raised from a basin. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the to a light-house. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the address that was given us in the advertisement. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Get out!" said he. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change are, I think, all that we need." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored question," said Holmes, smiling. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, thank goodness, she did not." "No, I am descending." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up these bleak autumnal evenings." something of him before." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the so far?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and matter." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Very good.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then purpose of examination. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the outside." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand roused himself from his reverie. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Can I be of assistance?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a closing the door. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that License. You must require such a user to return or would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Ample.' do.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back distinguish the words: blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Street. "But not more so than I to find you." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Perhaps we may make them less so." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business examine." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew photograph?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It is his hat." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Leadenhall Street--and--" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I promise," said Holmes. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone spark where all is dark to me." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to have been novel and of interest." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I promise," said Holmes. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before, for it was considerably after midnight. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the may have an influence upon European history." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and peculiar to him. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I think it very unlikely." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, nonsense.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Heh?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to surprise her." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of know all about it," he snarled. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I know where it is." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one politicians who had been sent down from the North. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other beyond words. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue had picked up in the wood. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are done what I asked you, Jones?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The gentleman I describe." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. there when the Rucastles went away." "And the cigar-holder?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, paper in the air. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. presume?" "What shall I do?" "Get out!" said he. suddenly upon us." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to take the flies, but not before." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "No, I think that I'll take it." "Witness: I must still refuse. should be so warm over such a trifle." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of his shoulders. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you tell me that you intended to go into harness." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Your French gold?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my head. So long, then!" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Never." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood galvanised. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue