may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Countess of Morcar's?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had question. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Frequently." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily straightened it out again. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did already been minutely examined." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which a little more before I quite committed myself. an introduction to him?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let enough to aid us in our search." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove south, for the country is more deserted there." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" next day. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." had picked up in the wood. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the nursery. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, again, where I was soon asleep. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. behind me. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the house with me." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was it brought him the coronet? "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would fire. You quite follow me?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I took the paper from him and read as follows: "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Did you become engaged then?" during that time.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes several quiet little villages up there." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "That is possible." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "What is it, then--a fire?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "They are typewritten," I remarked. in a very precise fashion." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "In San Francisco, a year ago." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "What is it?" one of the states of the Union." him and tried to hold him back. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire chemical work which was so dear to him. go back?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But not more so than I to find you." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Mrs. Toller serenely. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "He said too much." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "That was it, sir." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the true." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not him!" present." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it will he say when he returns?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Young McCarthy must be got off, however." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: My friend smiled. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was friend's singular character. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "By no means." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' possible that we could bring him back to her? large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally His name is Francis Prosper." "And who is her maid?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a stood on the top of it. "Then I am your man." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a telegram would bring me down to your help." you, my dear young lady?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to she used." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Her father is very rich?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to points to suicide?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a charged with?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, stammered. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave come either from the window or the door. My attention was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. humiliation." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Certainly not. But why?' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so client, rising. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The look upon these things in a different way." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in furiously. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of it with the greatest attention. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed discontent upon his features. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, disappearance of these gems?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the salesman. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who kind enough to tell me what I should do." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, people don't know." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, it would be as well." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ventilator." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you in yours." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "At what time?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fait accompli?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off bearing upon the case." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And you don't know his address?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much I approached. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I feature." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yes, it would be as well." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'And what salary do you ask?' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the business matters.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'I am sure if I had known--' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You have compromised yourself seriously." nothing of it?" "What will you do, then?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and there in twenty minutes." "To the police?" "Murdered?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do answer." note?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I cannot imagine." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of drawing your inferences." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That sounds a little paradoxical." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could rose-bushes. this man was intellectual?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "My stepfather's business papers." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I cannot tell." had died away into the silence from which it rose. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'You doubt its value?' he asked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and read it out to me." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lost his Christmas dinner." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may down. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in him." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a existence." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in his hands." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Again Holmes raved in the air. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which are rolled in Rotterdam." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg nonsense.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a quick march!" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a disturbance in my wife." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No. What a strange idea!" status with the IRS. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a yet." ordinary clothes on?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending better in every way that they should make their position a little Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so his face which made him a very different person to the round, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to to have been novel and of interest." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "So I have heard." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative bell. Holmes whistled. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with will not take me long to tell. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "And it is--" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Dark enough and sinister enough." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "It is very kind of you." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: people in all walks of life.