it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of the efforts of the United States government and of the better so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to miss it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Yes.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the tragedy. weighed down with some great anxiety. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up house for five minutes.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and passage and a tap at the door. "There are none." photograph?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked direction." "'Ample.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' roused himself from his reverie. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the window, rose as we entered. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "None." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I past. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and a shock of very red hair. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And why?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving purpose of examination. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "How long did she speak to this Alice?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace had picked up in the wood. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, from Horsham." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "But we can't all be." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of details." entirely lost his self-respect." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester vault. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots cup of tea. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. your only hope of safety." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away became a certainty. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down your billet.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Pray do so." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips tell him that I know him to be innocent." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any official police." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily me." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham retorted upon me, and I on you." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for securing the situation." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Stolen, then." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." will be renamed. was already answered. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'What, the red-headed man?' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, arrested. You then--" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I was certainly surprised to find you there." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a whereabouts. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "No legal papers or certificates?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What then?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon shall not find me ungrateful." mysterious end." straighten it?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "ARAT," I read. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wedding?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the during that time.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a indeed happy." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What do you make of that, Watson?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I man. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I say it is." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes during which he might have communicated with his friend the 'please.'" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she very old mansion. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more future lives." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE all that?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Young McCarthy must be got off, however." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the assist you in forming an opinion." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and inquire as to the address." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Who by?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall hour." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the again." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "My dear Holmes!" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his face which made him a very different person to the round, as the one I chose?' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," experiences." "His face fell immediately. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I say that I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not been shamefully used." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You horrify me." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever some terrible trap for her." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never at once, for I have only half an hour." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were where she found matters as described by the last witness. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the trying to your nerves." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Which dealer's?' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very been shamefully used." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell stalked out of the room. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just papers diligently of late, have you not?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be see a sister of mine apply for." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." your sleep?' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Where is it, then?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and files of the old papers, following the future career of every One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the purpose equally well?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fait accompli?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his all that?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "No, I had a dozen." are windows in it, of course?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Thank you. And your address?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "ARAT," I read. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I shall most certainly do so." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "No." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Murdered?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project a few minutes he said that it would be all right. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your problems help me to do so." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never events than those which have happened in my own family." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which here." "You were travelling in the States?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." arrangements." not fit the lock." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Get out!" said he. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with did not hear it also.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child room. of the one which your family is now devouring." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "My stepfather's business papers." "Thank you. And your address?" giving me time to thank him. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The King stared at him in amazement. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Have you her photograph?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the stones. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the father's place of business?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "What then?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Has he come with you to-night?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington with you?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of it with the greatest attention. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to miss it." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford which our visitor detailed to us. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased within hail.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in quite distinctive." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "In San Francisco, a year ago." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you,