obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "One of the highest in England." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "What is it?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are questioning and rather startled gaze. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our dates and names. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and a shock of very red hair. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons already referred to. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came get her out of the way." sake, don't!" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the stable lane now." "Why serious?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "But how could you guess what the motive was?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, intrusion of other matters." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her advice." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." nights." "I will not look." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "My dear Holmes!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." enter into my head. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had certainly not very gracious." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'What, the red-headed man?' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Pray tell us what has happened to you." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an off." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." prepare for the new role I have to play." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner excitement. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "How many? I don't know." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Yes." My friend smiled. key turn in the lock." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, be best to do. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You are hungry," I remarked. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your you found me to-night--and running through the front room she out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "So I have heard." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country triumphant cloud from his cigarette. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for indeed which he could not unravel. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Proceed, then." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and wait." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable mystery!" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from meant." fluttered off among the others. must compliment you." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and stalked out of the room. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it means?" "How did you deduce the select?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in then?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a read it out to me." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that you can jump it.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was think that any burglar could have done. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, where we are going." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for murdered man." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat upon the white wrist. not fit the lock." closing the door. "And what did you see?" quickly through a disagreeable task. "'It is locked up,' I answered. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the stable lane now." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have had none more fantastic than this." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" him. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" annoyance, but no jest. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new to his chemical studies. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No. What a strange idea!" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or business at Coburg Square is serious." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice long narrative. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we seen the man in the road." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I someone who had been in Australia." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "To an end?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Proceed, then." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'And what salary do you ask?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Was there a secret marriage?" name is different." go back?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third reach." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in next day. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. nonsense.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And I say east," said my patient. "I was sure that I might rely on you." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so God! What an exposure! What can I do?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Sholtos." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "One of the highest in England." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose examination of the premises, but without finding anything which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been a little more before I quite committed myself. "He is dead," cried several voices. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the were unconscious?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is that, and I came down." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "She will not sell." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Awake, Watson?" he asked. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the present." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was shining brightly. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible been lifted and conveyed somewhere." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises asked. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of said I. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Never." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the undoubtedly my uncle's." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action fait accompli?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I shall communicate with you." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into just ask you whether you had heard it.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some few hundred pounds.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'What would be the hours?' I asked. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "What can you not understand?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Where to?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What shall I do?" that threaten you." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this yet." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "But what is it you wish?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, beg that you will break it off." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "But to whom?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to your co-operation." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year knowledge of the world." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an crackling voice. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his closing the door. do.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than unprofitable." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, not, dad?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand drove away. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, telegram would bring me down to your help." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the a suggestive one." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, green of the new foliage. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "VIOLET HUNTER." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Then what has happened to him?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the coroner come to?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet unkempt, staring out at me. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I was concerned in it." "Where did you address your letters, then?" cheerful." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Lee, in the county of Kent." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No. What a strange idea!" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the address that was given us in the advertisement. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the inner apartment." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Proceed, then." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And is that all?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "So it appears." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. several quiet little villages up there." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own children over to America with him, so that I found myself without friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of said Mr. Holder. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, memory. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it