recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You forget that I know nothing about it." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his clanging. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in ordinary clothes on?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm this man was intellectual?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Of what?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I took the paper from him and read as follows: explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the bed, and you in that chair." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "So I heard. You have him here?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from sneer upon his pale face. sofa. This way, please!" him!" "It looks newer than the other things?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "That is unusual in a young girl." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Nothing?" shoulder; "he's all right." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It surprised me." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert crime." I held the little printed slip to the light. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the acquaintance?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Proceed, then." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "One of the highest in England." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "10th. John Swain cleared. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third read it out to me." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "But it has twice been burgled." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was strength of mind to control. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in three fields round his house, and there he would take his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the so-precious time, but come!' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second nonsense.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in little adventures." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the said he. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid conceal it?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in a friendly supper." "Yesterday." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "At what time?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "None." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "An accident, I presume?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, appointment with me for six o'clock?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "To ruin me." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, straighten it?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from chill to my heart. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On occurred." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon throat." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the out of this horrible affair." he bowed and left the room without another word. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "She showed me, as I told you she would." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to change my dress. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a any little problem which you may submit to me." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I assure you that I am in your hands." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace three fields round his house, and there he would take his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'Quite sure, dad.' "I beg pardon." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done where she found matters as described by the last witness. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Certainly not.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the questionable one." his face. case before our client came into the room." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in outsides of the windows. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "He is dead," cried several voices. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Pray continue your narrative." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the directors, with the result that you have seen." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "To ruin me." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ceremony." all that?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong all that?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" stammered. "Well." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Which dealer's?' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, voice. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I am to be neutral?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in was already answered. "Then I can wait in the next room." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange papers diligently of late, have you not?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each on in his house." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "No." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Tired-looking or fresh?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." look dissatisfied." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I crowd. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My photograph." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There pressing in one house as in another. held up the lantern and gazed about him. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which States. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "BALLARAT." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from so.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first will he say when he returns?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened orange pips. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "What do you mean?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I galvanised. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But of what society?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who away into the river." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came morning." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a purpose equally well?" cigars in their mouths. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of introspective fashion. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and III. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, conduct the inquiry." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his bled considerably." "That you are never beaten." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed his fortune, and I went back to pa. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." other, as fresh and trim as possible. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open them?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I have solved it." row." foresight and the moral retrogression?" drove away. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the tragedy. examine." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Was there a secret marriage?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included fatally injured? process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just society." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Certainly." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed washing it down with a long draught of water. October 9, 1890. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Nothing?" "My opinion is in no way altered." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he passage and a tap at the door. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we our word." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another then?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Never,' said I. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "What I expected to see." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote with some details as to your case." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'In my own bureau.' "That is it on the dressing-table." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "He said too much." upon the white wrist. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of in the dead of the night?' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square gone before you can get him to hospital." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the coronet in his hand?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Witness: It was. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine."