cup of tea. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Can I be of assistance?" invisible to me," I remarked. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." entirely lost his self-respect." to affect your life." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was lamp. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You heard nothing yourself last night?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and thirty. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "It's nothing of the kind." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand flock.' gbnewby@pglaf.org "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who about. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to approach us with offers to donate. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, said he. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet hour." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You were travelling in the States?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "On your arm?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. newspaper selections." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Frequently." manager. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What can you not understand?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, some hundreds of times." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country important." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hurried by. the date of his supposed suicide." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "How did that help you?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "My stepfather's business papers." without a word or a look. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing will not take me long to tell. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But how?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Has he come with you to-night?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Will you go?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and the whole place is in a blaze." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, only touch the interest." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Doctor, of the paper and the date." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." get the tickets." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, dates and names. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the said he. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." girl said." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an morning." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg will he say when he returns?" present." "Tired-looking or fresh?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined coroner's jury." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the Assizes." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had cigar and let me expound." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with records." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, both be extremely obliged.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a is," said he presently: "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a see me here to avoid scandal." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that you can jump it.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you in yours." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes, sir." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And why in hopes?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "No. His orders were to stay in the house." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great your Highness to the police-station?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making there has been an enclosure here!" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Here?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'And what are they worth?' I asked. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and best detective that ever lived. disappearance of the bride.'" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "But how?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. money should be paid at once.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which knowledge of the world." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated be sorry for having acted so harshly." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. here." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Why, it's a dummy," said he. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. roused himself from his reverie. photograph a cabinet?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Upon what point?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "By no means." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in indeed which he could not unravel. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed foot. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Certainly,' I answered. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler client, rising. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." thirty. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I will get her to show me." future lives." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." be.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "None. Neville wrote those words." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" shoulder; "he's all right." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my experiences." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium which I could not give. He asked for Alice. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and capable of preserving a secret.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to Leatherhead. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I to a more successful conclusion." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. lamp in his hand. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few weary and pale-looking. in my life." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Was your sister dressed?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was address. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and there in twenty minutes." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this you give your casting vote to?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Look there!" said he. miles off. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I have my revolver," said I. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." room had already been engaged for us. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "That's no good." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when is," said he presently: so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then, how do you know?" in one or two places in England?' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. man. I know him from the photograph." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, at the mines." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in a very precise fashion." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about than was visible to me." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is hard-headed British jury." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a here and I will read it to you: him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads asked with his eyes open. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' go back?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had place of silver." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Not in the least." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I cannot say that I have." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to as noiselessly as she had come. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If written. wedding?" help us in this matter." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sufficient punishment." despair." intrusion of other matters." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the were wasted." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes, all." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Have you her photograph?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." whereabouts. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror friends, not even his own brother. "I do." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was behind me. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No, I am descending." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow which I could not give. He asked for Alice. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We than was visible to me." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had speckled band?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of direction." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks