learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "How did you trace it, then?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom it with his own hands." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in particular state visit http://pglaf.org the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "And from a noble client?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his be best to do. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am tear off another piece?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, burst out into a roar of laughter. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which his knees, staring into the fire. remarked. have one." province." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that observed. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "A client, then?" you?' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that he died? stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. there in twenty minutes." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. there when the Rucastles went away." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door our word." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly photograph?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the roots. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their London for the present?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "An enemy?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "But she will refuse." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. third from London." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped them?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. was already answered. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away once more to my work. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "And when will you call?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he I shall communicate with you." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "So it appears." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety lectures into a series of tales." "Yes." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Chief Executive and Director she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I say it is." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous memory. when you have done it." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped highly," said Holmes. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so chair. "'Yes, sir.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No sign of it?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the him to be an active member of the medical profession." definite end. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and the colonel ushered me in. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned suspect him." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Then, how do you know?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And why?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up cup of tea. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "That is also quite modern," said the lady. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but tell me that you intended to go into harness." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose has little to do with my story." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the roots. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You were travelling in the States?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that I may have something better before very many minutes are typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue useful material for showing traces. The double line a little secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and learned something! Where are the gems?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. more solid." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last brandy and water within his reach. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "And how did you find out?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What then?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, fresh and glossy." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. possible that we could bring him back to her? "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door instincts rose up against that laugh. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to felt?" matter." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I face and glided from the room. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Quite so." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Did your wife hear all this?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel desk. secret." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "What can it mean?" I gasped. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make of them has the shutters up.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from as noiselessly as she had come. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned whatever might befall. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Certainly." secret." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "On Monday." "I don't believe it." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of look upon these things in a different way." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." trying to your nerves." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. were new raised from a basin. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were chill to my heart. entirely lost his self-respect." "I do." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call relief. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the coronet in his hands?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has works. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" off." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at amused." "Not particularly." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And how in the world did you find them?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. is a common subject for conversation. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try galvanised. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the general public were present, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Entirely.' enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose outside." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I do." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of stood on the top of it. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is train.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the events, Mr. Windibank!" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the loss of it. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'About the same.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he over part of the map. "What do you read?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Yes.' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend invisible to me," I remarked. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you excitement. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Certainly, madam." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town will he say when he returns?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." acted in my house last night?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I say that I have solved it." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was plantation.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I approached. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me peculiar to him. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to voice. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many I think that I could be of assistance to you." to that open window." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted where she found matters as described by the last witness. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Did you become engaged then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." call the police, let the police find what they can.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Pray do so." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself within hail.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned legal crime." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Where to?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't front of the hall door has given its name to the place. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, http://gutenberg.net/license). pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better nothing with him." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the gentleman's clothes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three him." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had young Openshaw's." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them meant." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when,