this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "You forget that I know nothing about it." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that threaten you." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary question you as to those details which seem to me to be most however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "You have but to name it." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, never will be, entirely cleared up. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Never." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'About the same.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the bed, and you in that chair." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Have you it here?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if II. and wait." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to DISSOLVED. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling http://www.gutenberg.net As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was wanted for ourselves." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Lee, in the county of Kent." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small out of this horrible affair." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to into the bag, and made for the door. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or once more for Briony Lodge. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Certainly." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was straighten it?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." carriage. It was a chestnut." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Not particularly." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to-morrow." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of his shoulders. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no noise which awoke you from your sleep?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to already referred to. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You think that he is dead?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Gutenberg-tm License. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of it with the greatest attention. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be highly," said Holmes. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his money should be paid at once.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: your bag." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "So I heard. You have him here?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." article?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, only touch the interest." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. keep the flames under. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cigar and let me expound." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. roused himself from his reverie. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Where did he live, then?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in look dissatisfied." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If would apply.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such directors have had misgivings upon the subject." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing keep the flames under. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been mystery!" "Have you her photograph?" will he say when he returns?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'Never,' said I. "And did you observe any change in her then?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of neither fascinating nor artistic." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "What! You do not mean bodies?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey business in the City. She little knew what. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin province." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a monotonous occupation." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out suspect him." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal undoubtedly my uncle's." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey prison!" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I should be immensely obliged to you." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was status with the IRS. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by reach." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hurried away. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Countess of Morcar's?" of it with the greatest attention. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'I shall certainly be there.' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "A confidential servant?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Yes, sir.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. compunction about shooting them down." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I round and wave him away like that.' your only hope of safety." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his nights." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in least a most suspicious remark." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yes." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project away in different directions, and I went off to make my own would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "You will not go there first?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes. He waved his hands." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about child?' lost his Christmas dinner." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Very well, sir. And this stone?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and it need not interfere very much with one's other of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad you for a few hours?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "In which, sir?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Where does the thing come from?' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I were unconscious?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the general public were present, then?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "The knees of his trousers." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "By all means." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fasten all the windows?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And I." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It was." chill to my heart. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Precisely." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my former friend and companion. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself must compliment you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. trifles." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Very much so." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, with frightened eyes at his accuser. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I here and I will read it to you: and the whole place is in a blaze." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Very murderous indeed." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish done what I asked you, Jones?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in what I may call a really hard day's work." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Never to return." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near before the coroner and the police-court." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ready to-morrow?' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is could gather together that I was able to avert another public I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert papers diligently of late, have you not?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Only as much as we can deduce." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew brought there to personate someone, and the real person is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But of what society?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Will you go?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Project Gutenberg-tm works. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "By no means." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then he might have called to you?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Certainly." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon