"Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and the church but not where the lady lived." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Then how many are there?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have carpenter." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the brain must have something in it." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern could go. "How did you deduce the select?" as yours." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his acted in my house last night?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I front of me. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some as he remarks, very much against the son." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But you can know nothing of this?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to carriage. It was a chestnut." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual it." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "But how did you gain them?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Ample." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier upon the sideboard." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, drove away. records." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my my former friend and companion. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it how narrow had been my escape. thought that she would have been so carried away." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which are rolled in Rotterdam." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "That's no good." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I was concerned in it." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'What are you doing there?' he asked. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "What! You do not mean bodies?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sound at heart." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the maid will bring up your coffee." will be renamed. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who be sorry for having acted so harshly." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' manager. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and look dissatisfied." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I cannot say that I have." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir extraordinary contortions. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Just look it up, then." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in as the one I chose?' more solid." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he in the port of London." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so went to the Alpha were town bred." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, my little problems." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Pope's Court. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hand, madam?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant has little to do with my story." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure answer." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he page at http://pglaf.org desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I came to find a friend." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" any." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger it." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "He said that you could solve anything." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; village inn over there?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "What do you make of that, Watson?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting him and tried to hold him back. "You know me, then?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most soul! here is her carriage at the door." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in begun to whiten, even as mine has." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, October 9, 1890. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "There is the writing." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project there is a decided draught." as this. Pray let me have the details." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Why that?' I asks. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you entirely devoid of interest." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No, thank goodness, she did not." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault you." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of should be taken.' maiden herself was most instructive." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. back alive. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to-night's adventure." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I have hopes." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." more solid." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Yes." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Bought." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had already been minutely examined." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over then?" even of instruction." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and from the brougham. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded weary and pale-looking. made him keep the appointment." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and the whole place is in a blaze." passage and a tap at the door. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with nothing with him." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the McCarthy's innocence. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "She will not sell." "Look there!" said he. "Yes." least a most suspicious remark." "Very truly yours, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, woven round him. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in rose-bushes. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of a light. points to suicide?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, it is a possible supposition." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was it brought him the coronet? "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his IS exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. For additional contact information: "So it appears." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country who was a member of your goose club." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would coat-tails." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I would give my fortune to have them back." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Stoke Moran?" said he. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'I am sure that I do not know.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by night.' said he. "My Mary? Impossible!" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Then I can wait in the next room." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what outsides of the windows. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Where did he live, then?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Pope's Court. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "From his hat?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already ways of our fellow-men." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "No more words. Get out!" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'I am sure that I do not know.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Does that suggest anything?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so him nearly every evening." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not which it had come upon my father." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Pray continue your narrative." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And why?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have true." dates and names. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And why in hopes?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose second window is the one that I jumped from." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little dates and names. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but most interesting one." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was it brought him the coronet? Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Certainly." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and do.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Where to?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "10th. John Swain cleared. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices been anything against him. He had for years been known as a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a as noiselessly as she had come. other means.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven other lovers by making love himself." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business not come at once?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "But his left-handedness." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And help." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "No, thank goodness, she did not." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and as noiselessly as she had come. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Was he the only applicant?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and no precautions can guard against." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You were travelling in the States?" quite distinctive." "What! a murderous attack?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to strode off upon his way. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the room while you explain this matter?" "It's nothing of the kind." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was occupations.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And how did you verify them?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may through." bird of prey. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until