too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hands. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Street. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to chance at all." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and all of them with the keenest interest. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I think that I could be of assistance to you." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its into her hand at the door and which lured her within their were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "She told me to ask you." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." key turn in the lock." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love considering the formidable letters which were received by himself details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am window when the police appeared." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg call it cruel." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Who was the criminal, then?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Count Von Kramm." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler to-night?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' better in every way that they should make their position a little seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then you may entirely rely on me." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in if I call to-morrow?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." could go. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I do." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fashion which was peculiar to him. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend there." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." served to weaken the effect. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Count Von Kramm." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Mary, has deserted me." had died away into the silence from which it rose. invisible to me," I remarked. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked o'clock is it?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the sufficient punishment." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is him!" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But I am all in the dark." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is client, rising. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the shaken than I had ever seen him. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and a shock of very red hair. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I answered that I had not. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and deduce something from that?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I any little problem which you may submit to me." went to the Alpha were town bred." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is individual and becomes the badge of a society." you want, then?' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight there." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical 'please.'" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong straighten it?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Pray tell us what has happened to you." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed corner of the building. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You saw the ventilator, too?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his who was a member of your goose club." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was criminal. We have already had experience of such." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I will, Miss Turner." Arthur Conan Doyle "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Literary Archive Foundation "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in read over the extraordinary announcement. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And I to find an enemy." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he really the only notable feature about the thing." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a must be when I saw the door open.' and inquire as to the address." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gone. Street. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another very old mansion. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he for securing the situation." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a article?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son not interfere, come what may. You understand?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "You know me, then?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to him nearly every evening." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Project Gutenberg-tm works. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor thin, with a long, sharp nose?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Only as much as we can deduce." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without searched, without anything being found which could incriminate for its centre. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making been." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Certainly, madam." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head developed." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it bled considerably." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the tragedy. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his written. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Yes." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Absolutely none." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, it. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "What?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. until night should bring an explanation. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." second window is the one that I jumped from." said he at last. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Edgeware Road. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he brandy and water within his reach. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Then how many are there?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And your father? Did you tell him?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be even so self-evident a thing as that." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "My dear Holmes!" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "How did you deduce the select?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to to-morrow." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I cannot tell." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. is so. I know all about McCarthy." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "What of the rat, then?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you one of the states of the Union." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "No." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the bird of prey. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we money should be paid at once.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in key turn in the lock." residence of the great financier. been with you?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Here?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "It is very kind of you." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Then I do not see the point." "And from a noble client?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sound at heart." man. I know him from the photograph." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Seven!" I answered. fear." upon a handsome competence. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to was already answered. spark where all is dark to me." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Dr. Becher's." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards colonel looking down at me. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, points to suicide?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. interest. They are important, you understand, without being frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few it with his own hands." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Street. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Mrs. Toller serenely. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said October 9, 1890. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he second window is the one that I jumped from."