been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' distinguish the words: "I was certainly surprised to find you there." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his became a certainty. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with from you?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, weapon." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Perhaps we may make them less so." "At what time?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which money should be paid at once.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Why, it's a dummy," said he. affair. that you wished to speak to me?' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Get out!" said he. "And how did you verify them?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped call you and give you the chance." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid voice. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's gone before you can get him to hospital." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her even so self-evident a thing as that." fuss that is made over them." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You know me, then?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me congratulate you again." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the signal between you and your father? was a perfect sample of the class. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she will be renamed. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. outbreak?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to what I may call a really hard day's work." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich His name is Francis Prosper." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sound at heart." "By no means." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do will he say when he returns?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I am about to be married." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No, my brougham is waiting." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bedroom door." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting face and glided from the room. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "This concluded the examination of the witness." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The police have openly confessed that they can at present make goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "On Monday." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "The best possible." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing absorbing." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You'll never persuade me to believe that." indiscretion." a suggestive one." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, of Fenchurch Street." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which words came to my lips. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I back into the street. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Does that suggest anything?" did not hear it also.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to his chemical studies. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the night.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "No." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Holmes' thin, eager face. affair. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'What, the red-headed man?' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, security.' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Of what?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Get out!" said he. residence of the great financier. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What have you to say now?" late!' "If I can be of use." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the driver. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good said he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. http://www.gutenberg.net he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project if I call to-morrow?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a might help us?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room later, upon the night of May 2nd." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, seen the man in the road." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of window when the police appeared." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could locked. coat-tails." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Did your wife hear all this?" "An accident, I presume?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "To an end?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office leaning back in his chair. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the than to us. gives a meaning to it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" developed." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had do.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the once more to my work. for its centre. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have photograph a cabinet?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless 'I should be able to look after that for you.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'I am sure if I had known--' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. conceal it?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You are hungry," I remarked. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall money should be paid at once.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two colour had been driven from his face. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It looks newer than the other things?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light without success. At last the little money which I had saved began examination of the premises, but without finding anything which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly so.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Countess of Morcar's?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been straightened it out again. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began we went to search for him, face downward in a little He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, very morning of my second wedding." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Pray let us have it, for all that." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "But the mystery?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a said he. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is a murder, then?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." and wait." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "What can you not understand?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis pierced for earrings?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had daring than any effort of the imagination." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." already been minutely examined." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I will not take me long to tell. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even orange pips. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "And I to find an enemy." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But you can know nothing of this?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the bottom.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "So it appears." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Holmes, the busybody!" "I am still in the dark." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way round with crates and massive boxes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together are, and they are waiting for us." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Always." bird I ate is country bred." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way John Swain, of St. Augustine. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hard-headed British jury." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Miss Holder?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I shall continue with my miserable story. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." http://gutenberg.net/license). fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." You want to know what became of those geese?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a late." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to arrive at through this?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "At what time?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an writer." corner of the building. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the discontent upon his features. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Count Von Kramm." "It is half-past ten now." and a shock of very red hair. enter into my head. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so what these perils are?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His purpose equally well?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to whether it answered to the description of any of their His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known how narrow had been my escape. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the in darkness. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the nursery. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a gigantic client. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old served to weaken the effect. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, sir." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains business." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the loss of it. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the think that any burglar could have done. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "My last client of the sort was a king." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You have a clue?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in room had already been engaged for us. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey dramatic, in fact." unprofitable." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent