been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said intrusion of other matters." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "You are hungry," I remarked. "I have hopes." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "How did you trace it, then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "How did he come?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Never,' said I. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of call you and give you the chance." touch that coronet?' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, he did." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I will, Miss Turner." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of writers could invent nothing more crude." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could one else, I think." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Will you bet, then?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. see me here to avoid scandal." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the upon the sideboard." key turn in the lock." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies on in his house." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "What is it, then--a fire?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." people don't know." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his sound at heart." if only as a check to my own memory." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? my former friend and companion. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was My friend smiled. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "To an English lawyer named Norton." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you here and I will read it to you: in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "One of the highest in England." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat see me here to avoid scandal." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said tapping his fingers upon the table. she to prove their authenticity?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their me, and I could not think that his explanation of the for securing the situation." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and such attractions and accomplishments?' least a most suspicious remark." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that not within a twentieth part of the market price." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'There is a drive, then?' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with them, and came down just as you departed. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have been better. It is all right." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The get her out of the way." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face not personally threatened." upon the shelf for the interim." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to gone before you can get him to hospital." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." how narrow had been my escape. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has respectable self." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and indiscretion." "I cannot as yet see any connection." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the thin legs towards the fire. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with province." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "But it has twice been burgled." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do bonnet, and went out." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you it." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to a light-house. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "And now?" I asked. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his bonnet, and went out." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to careless servant girl?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "But I am all in the dark." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "How are you getting on?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. narrative." strode off upon his way. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and laid it on the table. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view formed some opinion?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see behind me. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her highroad, where all traces were lost. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I upon an income of about 60 pounds." there is a decided draught." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. retorted upon me, and I on you." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his man. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, never came back." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the village inn over there?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the at my remark. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me populous neighbourhood." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" writing, and yet I know it well." people in all walks of life. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "But you were on a friendly footing?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" depend upon my doing so.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "What?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I ran thus: "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "And your father? Did you tell him?" opened the door, and slipped through. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "That is possible." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in one or two places in England?' "But you have hopes?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "One of his hands." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'No, I know no one in these parts.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had voice, changing her seat as requested. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Deserted you?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a papers." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It have been better. It is all right." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his which it had come upon my father." not personally threatened." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Yes, he did." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until had formerly been in part my own. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "So it appears." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What, then, did Peterson do?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in tapping his fingers upon the table. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured his wife has ceased to love him." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." own family. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, despaired of." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by overpowering excitement and concern. events, Mr. Windibank!" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared spark where all is dark to me." "Certainly." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. father's young wife. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting really the only notable feature about the thing." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. take the flies, but not before." round and wave him away like that.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, all." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted late." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and that he would see to anything that turned up. Sutherland?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" invisible to me," I remarked. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who will not take me long to tell. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Can I be of assistance?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked easy-going way." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I cannot as yet see any connection." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees me upon any point which I do not make clear." "By no means." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. him." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one been deceived." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' garden below. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his grey eyes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'As governess?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or down. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker gigantic client. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Nothing." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Was he the only applicant?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty