through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I don't believe it." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Ten will be early enough." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "And for present expenses?" "About a month then." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be name is different." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. strong and stiff." "Stolen, then." "But what is it you wish?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to investigation." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Certainly." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And the cigar-holder?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do main points of my analysis." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in south, for the country is more deserted there." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you as he remarks, very much against the son." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the matter?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "What, then?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It outbreak?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? all-comprehensive glances. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in before, for it was considerably after midnight. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the laugh and put his lips to my ear. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the address that was given us in the advertisement. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained unclasping of his long thin hands. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the do." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And did you observe any change in her then?" occurred." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little clang of the bell. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have not had my rubber." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as noiselessly as she had come. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And I say east," said my patient. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Whose house is it?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. second." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which letters?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. possible that we could bring him back to her? words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only nothing of it?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Tired-looking or fresh?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO certainly not very gracious." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I will get her to show me." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant served to weaken the effect. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the brandy and water within his reach. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Indeed! Whose, then?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Did you observe the colour?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And leave your case unfinished?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Where did he live, then?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to ourselves in the office." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of open." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Where to?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a This is what he says: when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Who was the criminal, then?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, minor matters until to-morrow." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gigantic client. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "To the police?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Ten will be early enough." "Murdered?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over which are rolled in Rotterdam." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see had no one to advise her at such a crisis." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near started for the Temple to see my husband. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bed dies. Does not that strike you?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Of Friday, June 19th." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon You can understand that this register and diary may implicate our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the nothing of it?" "No, finished." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I answered that I had not. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Won't it ring?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Then how many are there?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Certainly not.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not or other trace. But how on earth--" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet as noiselessly as she had come. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "No." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his breakfast?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "A call for help, you thought?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Is he quiet?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is man. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. detained." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by upon the shelf for the interim." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating status with the IRS. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Precisely." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of there when the Rucastles went away." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was it brought him the coronet? feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I came to find a friend." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to take care of herself." Holmes. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Then I can wait in the next room." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, for securing the situation." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not manager. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as approach us with offers to donate. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in appointment with me for six o'clock?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is promised to bring home. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my do.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I emerged. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "We were both in the photograph." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "So I am. Very much so." habit of advancing money.' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no call it cruel." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go guilty one." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Pray be precise as to details," said he. peculiar to him. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Sholtos." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. woven round him. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "And the cigar-holder?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'I have already given you my word.' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I think that it is very probable." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room,