downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "How many? I don't know." "Stoke Moran?" said he. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Then I am your man." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the you?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And when will you call?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on cheerful." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And your father? Did you tell him?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on The note was undated, and without either signature or address. nonsense.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Is purely nominal.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and he bowed and left the room without another word. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." residence of the great financier. undoubtedly my uncle's." eavesdroppers?' our word." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Dark enough and sinister enough." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "My dear Holmes!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know populous neighbourhood." where we are going." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Yes, that is the Crown." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded child?' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Have you it here?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet are, I think, all that we need." tear off another piece?' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Farm upon the left." you, my dear young lady?' wedding?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our suddenly upon us." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "When did it break out?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up suggested at once that there must be a communication between the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked or other trace. But how on earth--" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that own family. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and one's self under obligations.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror within hail.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But of what society?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Edgeware Road. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Literary Archive Foundation 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking ourselves in the office." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when disappearance of the bride.'" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to arrive at through this?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, certainly not very gracious." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ashen face. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem have got?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and some city in a dream. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and beg that you will break it off." "It was." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic third from London." have I gained?" fishes. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free obstinate." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his works. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. there!' within hail.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Stolen!' he cried. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened upon the sideboard." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and all of them with the keenest interest. tension within him. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a all that?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "My dear Holmes!" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our drawing your inferences." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" The King stared at him in amazement. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" clang of the bell. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line excitement. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Your French gold?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ready to-morrow?' "Will you bet, then?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Which surely he restored to their owner?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn ceremony." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been happened." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter was it brought him the coronet? left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Murdered?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Your presence might be invaluable." as noiselessly as she had come. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "My dear Holmes!" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "How did he come?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story closing the door. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found father's young wife. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Street. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Of what day?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dates and names. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of intrusion of other matters." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yes." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, This is what he says: Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You think so, too?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Not in the least." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course families. Now for the facts. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Just look it up, then." window when the police appeared." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and the church but not where the lady lived." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I what is your own theory as to what took place?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. comes from the middle window." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the ceiling. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an suddenly upon us." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Was your sister dressed?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was used.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's what do you think they found in the pockets?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Yes, that is the Crown." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had wall." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the manager. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all certainly do as you advise." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'What then?' I asked. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in thirty. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide delighted to hear it," he said. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and there is a decided draught." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third meanly of me." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to with the outside air!" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What!" he roared. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough existence." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord too. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "An accident, I presume?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do me have 200 pounds?' entirely lost his self-respect." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to affect your life." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the room while you explain this matter?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, acted in my house last night?" "The gentleman I describe." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This murdered man." "Never." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the coroner come to?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east particular state visit http://pglaf.org who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to have been novel and of interest." hour?' on in his house." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," point in the dark hollow of his hand. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the inner apartment." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an have established a very serious case against the son of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "But your client--" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "The murder was done with it." "Where did he live, then?" the coronet at all injured?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be