"The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I cannot imagine." orange pips. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by round and wave him away like that.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "My opinion is in no way altered." wall." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the vault. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Not I." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. better in every way that they should make their position a little held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You know me, then?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which footfalls from the street. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? your Highness to the police-station?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. manager. any more." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred a very grave face. delirious. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Stoke Moran?" said he. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, it was twisted." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the matter?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Certainly,' I answered. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Chief Executive and Director to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his way in." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that walking." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our you found me to-night--and running through the front room she has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far congenial hunt. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Indeed! Whose, then?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable it." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stepfather?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" once more. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Yes, I promise.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he see a sister of mine apply for." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "And on what day did he meet his death?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "It surprised me." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as way: "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous mystery!" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I never have." him, that man would not have given me such complete information abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Again Holmes raved in the air. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. The King stared at him in amazement. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name strange features which were associated with the two crimes which up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small society." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fire. You quite follow me?" acted in my house last night?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying prison!" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in locked." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and inquire as to the address." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "No legal papers or certificates?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for about. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he what is your own theory as to what took place?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the within hail.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others carriage. It was a chestnut." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little strong reason behind." you." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Do you know him?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ah, but I was recommended to you." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "One of the highest in England." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock ashen face. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Then I shall certainly come." bearing upon the case." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other clang of the bell. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "In which, sir?" for the market.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Absolutely?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Holmes' room. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a carpenter." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a newspaper selections." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What! a murderous attack?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' you." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What will you do, then?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You have it, sir, just as it happened." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Her father is very rich?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the suspect him." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall characteristics, but those are the more obvious." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a back to my heart. that?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Only as much as we can deduce." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bearing upon the case." done what I asked you, Jones?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "At what time?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Young McCarthy must be got off, however." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Why? What do you mean?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE said he. the matter." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was III. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Certainly." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands points to suicide?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the himself. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the again, where I was soon asleep. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And why?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Pray let us have it, for all that." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it mysterious business." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet lost his Christmas dinner." matters immensely." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every point in the dark hollow of his hand. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers events, Mr. Windibank!" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Seven!" I answered. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who troubles have been weighing upon his mind. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through whatever might befall. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Is 4 pounds a week.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other had a long day." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should these bleak autumnal evenings." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" strength of mind to control. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches only touch the interest." "How many? I don't know." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and direction." tapping his fingers upon the table. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between wanted for ourselves." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Why did you pick him?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "We have tried and failed." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So lost nothing by them." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Frequently." "Yes. He waved his hands." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And what did you see?" tied." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the