have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem The police have openly confessed that they can at present make which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Will you bet, then?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from answer." chambers. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really help us in this matter." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And what then?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "My own seal." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" will take you up to see the machine.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? disappearance of the bride.'" infinite languor in his face. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the would then never go into court at all." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "An enemy?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical American. Then who could this American be, and why should he his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was me upon any point which I do not make clear." the one as in the other." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days she used." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at third from London." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Pray let us have it, for all that." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? bed dies. Does not that strike you?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I against a man in the prime of life?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact were new raised from a basin. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "That was it, sir." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the amused." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it said Mr. Holder. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Very much so." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Where to?' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on something of him before." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Precisely." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was weapon." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have future lives." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Very truly yours, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I promise," said Holmes. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts works. See paragraph 1.E below. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Stolen." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his DISSOLVED. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Where, indeed?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." a good hundred miles off by now." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." jewels which you have stolen?' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And who is her maid?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Did your wife hear all this?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his eyes and forehead. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was not a bird to be seen there. grasp, he hurried from the room. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wedding?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she promised to bring home. "By no means." certainly not very gracious." "'Quite sure, dad.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say man. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the in a friendly supper." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a words came to my lips. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the been." have I gained?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was power." "So I have heard." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a time." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There for its centre. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of this gang." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Stolen." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must My friend smiled. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a signal between you and your father? Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to-night." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life extraordinary contortions. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my call for it in person on Monday morning.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was a loud and authoritative tap. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the best of training." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Yes." "Yes." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the house with me." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater village inn over there?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "My opinion is in no way altered." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about read over the extraordinary announcement. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I possible that we could bring him back to her? little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Have you it here?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hereditary King of Bohemia." "Do you know him?" "Well." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite bird of prey. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "He disappeared so suddenly." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "How did you deduce the select?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Which are?" "Where did he live, then?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" power." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be coroner's jury." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but my former friend and companion. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A your sleep?' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that I can to serve you." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon at a side door. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'In my own bureau.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you been." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would wall." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, me where it went to?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "But we can't all be." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and my little problems." matter." ourselves in the office." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. if I call to-morrow?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets see me here to avoid scandal." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence God! What an exposure! What can I do?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the dangers which encompass me." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I promise," said Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Never,' said I. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I leave." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are been able to understand it, in a very few words. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "A confidential servant?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I am sure." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an any." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You were travelling in the States?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to roused himself from his reverie. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded own family. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the stable lane now." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "That's no good." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and stalked out of the room. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Leave Paddington by the 11:15." despaired of." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." introspective fashion. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "ARAT," I read. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." off." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "What do you make of that, Watson?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and all of them with the keenest interest. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I was sure that I might rely on you." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I have hopes." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the little opening for the ventilator is." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found been anything against him. He had for years been known as a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the examine." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. guilty parties." "What steps will you take?" I asked. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that?' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shall use the carriage to-night." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it even of instruction." "But not more so than I to find you." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with 1.F. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own married her." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your strength in the others." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Look there!" said he. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which been deceived." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have security.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I DAMAGE. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general