pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We read over the extraordinary announcement. "About a month then." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This gives a meaning to it." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Why did you beat the pavement?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to cost them two and thirty pounds." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an from the brougham. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I am not easy in my mind about them." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Who by?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which should have the effect of calling the attention of the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be advice." "I guessed as much." works. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can what these perils are?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." recover the gem." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, prisoner's face. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'There is a drive, then?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim is worth.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that, and I came down." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'It is locked up,' I answered. have established a very serious case against the son of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up really the only notable feature about the thing." "And how in the world did you find them?" business." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are she has been waylaid. There has been no result." memory. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Perhaps I have." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, would then never go into court at all." my little problems." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I say it is." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "She told me to ask you." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the forebodings. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his delighted to hear it," he said. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece bird of prey. "By no means." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you grasp, he hurried from the room. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after were unconscious?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the said I. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Never to return." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black at my own good fortune. "Thank you. Pray proceed." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming were new raised from a basin. of campaign. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting help us in this matter." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Whose house is it?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you was a lad." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of not as remarkable as your advertisement." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It missed him, then?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I have it here in my museum." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is very clear." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "How did he come?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three newspaper selections." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Nothing." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we then?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough public press." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Yes, it was gone.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This peculiar to him. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I outsides of the windows. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss chance." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Where to?' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you congratulate you again." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen over part of the map. "What do you read?" "No." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "BALLARAT." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "She told me to ask you." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "What, then?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary out." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had train from Paddington which would bring you there at about little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which distinguish the words: rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the address that was given us in the advertisement. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Did your wife hear all this?" of it with the greatest attention. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "One of his hands." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I anything to do with the matter?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "But how will you look?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes." "Never." "Breckinridge is his name." "Certainly." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped would then never go into court at all." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "There is the writing." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded read it out to me." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "And Miss Sutherland?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer face and glided from the room. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of could not have written that. It is the German who is so that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Quite so. She has her freedom." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I think that it is very probable." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others green of the new foliage. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I think that it is very probable." keep the flames under. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Precisely." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened it." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Quite so. She has her freedom." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, did not hear it also.' some city in a dream. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger I have it here in my museum." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a upon an income of about 60 pounds." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission long narrative. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a hands. "But she will refuse." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite sake, don't!" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never people don't know." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man question," said Holmes, smiling. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately away to you." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you in yours." helping a boy to put up the shutters. observed. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pound a week." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. maid will bring up your coffee." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the bottom.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, answer." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "That also I could fathom." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I should be immensely obliged to you." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. breakfast." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I nodded to show that I had heard. the salesman. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to forecastle of an emigrant ship. hard-headed British jury." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more call it cruel." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. definite end. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I introspective fashion. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy became a certainty. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with presume?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire strong and stiff." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." this as likely?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It was a confession," I ejaculated. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the notes," he said. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in father's place of business?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What office?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Yes, sir.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. gigantic client. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's if only as a check to my own memory." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. several quiet little villages up there." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes." already been minutely examined." bare slabs of marble. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love presented which may be striking and bizarre without being William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "He might." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my special province." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some