"He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and inquire as to the address." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after other, as fresh and trim as possible. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the rooms." "I cannot say that I have." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of note-paper. It read in this fashion: wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "He might." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." putting in the horse. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' secret." said he. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a least a fellow-countryman. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was as noiselessly as she had come. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the coronet at all injured?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to-night?' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that you saw all that I did." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "What?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that opportunities to fix the problem. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "No, I think that I'll take it." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And how?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the people in all walks of life. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "None." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and questioning and rather startled gaze. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from notes," he said. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help purpose equally well?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite of the way of danger. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the south-west, I see." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I saw her in conversation with her maid." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been peculiar to him. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Certainly,' I answered. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. washing it down with a long draught of water. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I beg pardon." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened ready to-morrow?' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your yards of it?' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you drawing your inferences." might help us?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." strength in the others." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "None." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and effective." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from rooms." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the with her." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hard-headed British jury." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" answered with a sidelong glance. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a for and were ordered to this address. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of obstinate." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Where did he live, then?" "But the mystery?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "What office?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And it is--" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "No, I think that I'll take it." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told golden eyeglasses. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into all that?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. how narrow had been my escape. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, have an American origin." populous neighbourhood." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and capable of preserving a secret.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called putting in the horse. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'What are you doing there?' he asked. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the felt?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "At the wedding breakfast." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to tackle the facts." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he there when the Rucastles went away." "You saw the ventilator, too?" it means?" tell them apart.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "What! a murderous attack?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "In what way?" asked Holmes. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst British peeress.'" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there skylight. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and wait." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in will take you up to see the machine.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Nothing." hurried away. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such empty. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied villagers almost as much as their master. pierced for earrings?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of extraordinary contortions. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Again Holmes raved in the air. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would bell. Holmes whistled. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this front of me. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "We must have a cab." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And sit in the dark?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to a light-house. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have are windows in it, of course?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Did you observe the colour?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing compunction about shooting them down." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of anything to do with the matter?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. once more. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down use an arc-and-compass breastpin." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'What would be the hours?' I asked. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and anything to do with the matter?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the general public were present, then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I took the paper from him and read as follows: tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to-night's adventure." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "It is very kind of you." "Only as much as we can deduce." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well woman." bonnet, and went out." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Holmes' room. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his thought that she would have been so carried away." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Bought." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate arrangements." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. as yours." there!' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it obstinate." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was brandy and water within his reach. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whole matter to your consideration." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror one which it was hard to resist. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, she used." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "But what will you do?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to have been novel and of interest." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Edgeware Road. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You did not overhear what they said?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread lamp. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy face and glided from the room. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had this final quarrel? "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of your young ladies.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Quite so." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Your presence might be invaluable." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Count Von Kramm." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our ashen face. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" empty. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "If so, much may have happened between." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. me. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in this way: convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." questionable one." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'And what salary do you ask?' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr.