was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his over with notes and figures. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have compunction about shooting them down." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Clair, of Lee." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Mrs. Toller serenely. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "How can you tell that?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and wait." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to within hail.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Yes, the wine-cellar." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "And why?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He there." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to Leatherhead. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I was afraid that you were engaged." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and could not have written that. It is the German who is so this unhappy family?" was feeling which was the fattest.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. man. I know him from the photograph." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Very good.' "I am sure." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You will not go there first?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Entirely." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. particular state visit http://pglaf.org 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. him. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand strength of mind to control. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying salesman. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can see a sister of mine apply for." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in a good hundred miles off by now." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. events than those which have happened in my own family." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Sutherland. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so round and wave him away like that.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'It is locked up,' I answered. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "If so, much may have happened between." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the stable lane now." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "An accident, I presume?" fat-encircled eyes. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Who by?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Which dealer's?' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "How did you deduce the select?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle straighten it?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger had this final quarrel? backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hurried away. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Have you it here?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where her also." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his face. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I guessed as much." entirely devoid of interest." his grey eyes. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end knowledge of the world." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my vanished into the darkness. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I held the little printed slip to the light. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the general public were present, then?" married her." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was not a bird to be seen there. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I am still in the dark." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to talk it over. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. hand, madam?" "And why in hopes?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on already referred to. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way be. posted to-day." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the dangers which encompass me." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs annoyance, but no jest. the window, rose as we entered. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "What will you do, then?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to married her." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Not I." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And how?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." electronic works demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of his shoulders. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. were new raised from a basin. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes rather sternly. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Leave Paddington by the 11:15." went to the Alpha were town bred." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'And the work?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." little adventures." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging your own bird, so if you wish--" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but chamber." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the date of his supposed suicide." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "My photograph." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of had died away into the silence from which it rose. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up seem to you to be relevant or not." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy whole matter to your consideration." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was is four-and-twenty." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No more words. Get out!" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is worth.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Then, as to money?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "An accident, I presume?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out business." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small you give your casting vote to?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Why did you beat the pavement?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I say it is." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Dr. Gregory B. Newby of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you came in." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "No." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "One?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man go--none." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yes. He waved his hands." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." certainly do as you advise." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is carried out of court." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and your relations to her." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "How can you tell that?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair are windows in it, of course?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, his face. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should strode off upon his way. cause to be." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to you." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. outside." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for way: sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "If I can be of use." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Pray do so." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon putting in the horse. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean him, that man would not have given me such complete information Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and only touch the interest." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Where did you address your letters, then?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." friend's singular character. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that will not take me long to tell. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that new acquaintance to Baker Street. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I came to find a friend." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "10th. John Swain cleared. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Yes." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid imbecility!" he cried. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would