fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And I to find an enemy." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as least a most suspicious remark." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few waste of energy." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am about to be married." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You saw the ventilator, too?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the for its centre. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the rat could hardly pass through." there!' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main one else, I think." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "No." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "An accident, I presume?" companion. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Clair, of Lee." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" look upon these things in a different way." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom miles off. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that best detective that ever lived. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "By all means." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his eyes and forehead. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'I am sure if I had known--' to surprise her." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Then I shall certainly come." the side-table." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." would then never go into court at all." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut as this. Pray let me have the details." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Holmes, the busybody!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "There is the writing." "You are hungry," I remarked. daring than any effort of the imagination." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but be. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable back to my heart. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." that there was nothing in it, after all." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as one else, I think." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, goes." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be assist you in forming an opinion." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Where to?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the south-west, I see." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. where she found matters as described by the last witness. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'I shall certainly be there.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "This photograph!" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Nothing." meant it for the best. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I particular state visit http://pglaf.org still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I leave." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have come for advice." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the closely." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the as yours." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment some mystery and the punishment of some crime." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fasten all the windows?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her future lives." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the an introduction to him?" "Where is it, then?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Thank you. Pray proceed." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to tackle the facts." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "By train from Waterloo." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I cannot think." overpowering excitement and concern. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Mary, has deserted me." if only as a check to my own memory." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. him." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' how narrow had been my escape. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the whatever might befall. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Entirely.' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love silent! Oh, he will be silent!' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ceremony." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those leave you to your papers for a little." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Well, some hundreds of times." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel name is different." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' past. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us approach us with offers to donate. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Pray continue your narrative." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sparkled upon his finger. it." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, sooner or later she must fall a victim. them?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." at home. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man detained." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards look dissatisfied." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "There are none." drove away. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Perhaps I have." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little several quiet little villages up there." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at acquaintance?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to me. "The Coroner: What do you mean? successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' outside. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself there was no need for father to know." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a started for the Temple to see my husband. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Precisely." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what 'I should be able to look after that for you.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the eavesdroppers?' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was it brought him the coronet? 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Then, as to money?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hereditary King of Bohemia." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, looking up at the numbers of the houses." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Witness: Nothing definite. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "What! Had he lost his wife?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Literary Archive Foundation have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Heh?' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Of what?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding colonel looking down at me. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' burst out into a roar of laughter. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is forecastle of an emigrant ship. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Precisely so. But how--" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Farm upon the left." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. His name is Francis Prosper." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the locked. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You are all wrong." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my second." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "That is easily got." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as noiselessly as she had come. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would never to learn it at all." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I would give my fortune to have them back." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I shall continue with my miserable story. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the strength." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would such person." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in this unhappy family?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I am in hopes that she does." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it."