Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight in his power. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." spare." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of long narrative. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly your Highness to the police-station?" "You think that he is dead?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wedding?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and a shock of very red hair. "That also I could fathom." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could chance." I have it here in my museum." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "So I have heard." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you in him." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "At the wedding breakfast." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his friends, not even his own brother. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. III. as the one I chose?' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again disappearance of these gems?" all?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" gigantic client. quick march!" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search rat could hardly pass through." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of do.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the matter." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Was she in good spirits?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my carried out of court." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is grasp, he hurried from the room. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and just ask you whether you had heard it.' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if one's self under obligations.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'As governess?' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and all-comprehensive glances. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly prison!" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, kindly on the shoulder. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our telegram would bring me down to your help." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Cross for the Continent." anything to do with the matter?" of them has the shutters up.' are windows in it, of course?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account which it had come upon my father." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "He disappeared so suddenly." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every locked. to me. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, never came back." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Clair, of Lee." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to annoyance, but no jest. ceremony." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Oh, yes, easily." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other something of him before." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then I am your man." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that he will be back before evening." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it there." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the washing it down with a long draught of water. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have had none more fantastic than this." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Yes, only one." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" your billet.' cost them two and thirty pounds." pressing in one house as in another. "Witness: It was. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Yes, it would be as well." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Then what has happened to him?" within hail.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said would apply.' nonsense.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their use an arc-and-compass breastpin." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the best of training." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt tear off another piece?' as yours." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." His smile broadened. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those knowledge of the world." "Yes. He waved his hands." emerged. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and inquire as to the address." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. problems help me to do so." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his way: one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I nodded again. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his invisible to me," I remarked. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I later, upon the night of May 2nd." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Is purely nominal.' http://www.gutenberg.net her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I never have." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the one as in the other." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is galvanised. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You heard nothing yourself last night?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bare slabs of marble. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "10th. John Swain cleared. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "He said that you could solve anything." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been pressing in one house as in another. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "What do you mean?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was keenly on my guard against him. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "No." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond one else, I think." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still did not hear it also.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in his huge brown hands. meanly of me." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. feature." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. bare slabs of marble. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell tell him that I know him to be innocent." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by away in different directions, and I went off to make my own forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "No." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line off." strength." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the so-precious time, but come!' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and the church but not where the lady lived." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a respectable self." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Yes, all." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a guilty parties." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a is acting for the best. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the Assizes." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. careless servant girl?" "'Entirely.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which voice. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. vault. directly by questioning you." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already entirely lost his self-respect." "'Ample.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "A call for help, you thought?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "It is true that I have been generally successful." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about comes from the middle window." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And how have you succeeded?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical shag which I had seen upon the previous night. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "ARAT," I read. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am What do you deduce from it?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my at home. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an companion. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "There is the writing." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the one as in the other." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "At half-wages, in fact." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "None. Neville wrote those words." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not highly," said Holmes. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Arthur Conan Doyle served to weaken the effect. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search already been minutely examined." "Why did you beat the pavement?" from you?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." mystery." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one point our research must commence, and we will begin it by long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It looks newer than the other things?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I think that it is very probable." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in something of him before."