his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and I shall be with you presently." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is upon an income of about 60 pounds." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week trying to your nerves." "But you were on a friendly footing?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I am to be neutral?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It's nothing of the kind." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was gigantic client. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the driver. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door friends, not even his own brother. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm her also." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Certainly." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she round with crates and massive boxes. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases nothing of it?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He might." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the vault. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Street. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital was shining brightly. had this final quarrel? "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very of Mr. Rucastle's." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And it is--" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; not fit the lock." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without his wife has ceased to love him." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Come in!" said he. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter yards of it?' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I guessed as much." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of conceal it?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." envelope. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, finished." cigars in the box." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of remarked. business in the City. She little knew what. "One of the highest in England." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more on re-entering her father's house?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I upon the white wrist. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the matter." "And why?" "It missed him, then?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Count Von Kramm." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Was he the only applicant?" he died? fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, it was twisted." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, but only for you and me." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that appeal." "No sign of it?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was it. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When their singular warning or token before them when starting upon has little to do with my story." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "On your arm?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "My dear Holmes!" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yes, all." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable from you?" confronted him. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It is possible." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to-night's adventure." away into the river." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, man. "Very. But will he see it?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can impression behind it as though a window had gently closed four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of here and I will read it to you: "You have the photograph?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they then?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was habit of advancing money.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I nodded to show that I had heard. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, done what I asked you, Jones?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It is a murder, then?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Yes.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Which dealer's?' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Can I be of assistance?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "We were both in the photograph." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. straighten it?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Certainly." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And on what day did he meet his death?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the night.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Only as much as we can deduce." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever past. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "None." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather night.' said he. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was breakfast?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sit on the left-hand side of the driver." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and bonnet, and went out." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Yes, it would be as well." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. purpose equally well?" newspaper selections." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have my revolver," said I. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even whatever might befall. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his knees, staring into the fire. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of campaign. highroad, where all traces were lost. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip chance at all." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. this as likely?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside you in your example." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I was concerned in it." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the putting in the horse. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly what is your own theory as to what took place?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar served to weaken the effect. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her himself. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Was the window open?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and annoyance, but no jest. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. out of this horrible affair." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some ready to-morrow?' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place as noiselessly as she had come. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Where does the thing come from?' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification newspaper selections." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this ago." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Chief Executive and Director Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Breckinridge is his name." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very which our visitor detailed to us. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Stolen!' he cried. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Stolen!' he cried. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried whereabouts. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Not in the least." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You think that he is dead?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "What shall I do?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it? Did I buy the geese off you?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of your young ladies.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of him and tried to hold him back. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I south, for the country is more deserted there." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the inner apartment." "You are all wrong." himself to tell his story. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of entirely devoid of interest." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" himself to hunt down. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to telegram would bring me down to your help." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't it. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from along the entire front of the house, with three long windows man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the My friend smiled.