stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the inner apartment." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Your presence might be invaluable." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of see me here to avoid scandal." "Ha! you find it so?" you." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, awaited us upon the table. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Have you good authority for what you say?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was when you have done it." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at astonishment. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is hand, madam?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Mrs. Toller serenely. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' http://gutenberg.net/license). everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and a shock of very red hair. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fashion which was peculiar to him. held up the lantern and gazed about him. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." society." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you understand?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Quite sure, dad.' "I would give my fortune to have them back." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, followed. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had DISSOLVED. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to must be when I saw the door open.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I am not easy in my mind about them." you give your casting vote to?" "It is half-past ten now." at a side door. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no wedding?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while this unhappy family?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to a more successful conclusion." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Upon what point?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Eyford." tear off another piece?' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination held up the lantern and gazed about him. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching nonsense.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another since then to throw any light upon what became of him." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built undoubtedly my uncle's." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his individual and becomes the badge of a society." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. answered with a sidelong glance. "How did you trace it, then?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your over with notes and figures. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in chamber." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a already referred to. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'What would be the hours?' I asked. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church kind enough to tell me what I should do." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our disappearance of the bride.'" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But the mystery?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our again." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling was feeling which was the fattest.' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the tell me that you intended to go into harness." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fact, we may call it conclusive." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Pray do so." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "She showed me, as I told you she would." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in one or two places in England?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "None." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country astonishment. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the cost them two and thirty pounds." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. people in all walks of life. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by point in the dark hollow of his hand. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "How did that help you?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much never will be, entirely cleared up. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was purpose equally well?" "But we can't all be." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But I am all in the dark." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I say that I have solved it." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I have hopes." at my own good fortune. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the child?' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man indiscretion." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I must compliment you." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the visitors." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he very old mansion. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was shining brightly. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "You are hungry," I remarked. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, that is the Crown." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes." washing it down with a long draught of water. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "No. What a strange idea!" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept will take you up to see the machine.' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they go from here to the Strand." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "But you were on a friendly footing?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the roots. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was chance at all." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power acted in my house last night?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of nights." "And the cigar-holder?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I was mad--insane." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened dates and names. and a shock of very red hair. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And how did he make his money?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his even so self-evident a thing as that." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Yes, but only for you and me." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' that he has suffered." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And I to find an enemy." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Dirty?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely do." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Deserted you?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gone before you can get him to hospital." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'I shall certainly be there.' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Because he was handy and would come cheap." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. business matters.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she might be summoned. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing you." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm shall use the carriage to-night." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I cannot tell." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over know that the truth is known." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, ready to-morrow?' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner it. notes," he said. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets has little to do with my story." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; your co-operation." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased these bleak autumnal evenings." "What do you make of that, Watson?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There towards the blaze. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had his wife has ceased to love him." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to that open window." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Yes, it would be as well." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my read it out to me." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, was a loud and authoritative tap. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Indeed! Whose, then?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a that you wished to speak to me?' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter chance."