"How did you trace it, then?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "But we can't all be." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington had picked up in the wood. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the coronet in his hands?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country next day. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every instincts rose up against that laugh. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "None." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon occurred." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "A greater distance to travel." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid not fit the lock." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Holmes' thin, eager face. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But it has twice been burgled." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." client, rising. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can your co-operation." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But how could you guess what the motive was?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and murdered man." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were a good hundred miles off by now." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I forebodings. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me felt?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I was certainly surprised to find you there." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "You think that he is dead?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "No?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Sutherland?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 1.E.9. of Mr. Rucastle's." fasten all the windows?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Were they all fastened this morning?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you in yours." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would money should be paid at once.' the so-precious time, but come!' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the coronet in his hands?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered subject to the trademark license, especially commercial have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress late!' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so seem to you to be relevant or not." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though you." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his cane at the bell-pull. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "A greater distance to travel." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Ten to two.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." purpose equally well?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "My opinion is in no way altered." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I easy-going way." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Yes." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was carried out of court." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Your sister is dead, then?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; passage and a tap at the door. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." beyond words. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from come either from the window or the door. My attention was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Have you good authority for what you say?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him at my own good fortune. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" have one." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and drawing your inferences." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Nothing." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone electronic works "Yes." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided away to you." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect a suggestive one." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in bachelor.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector retorted upon me, and I on you." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Count Von Kramm." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not God! What an exposure! What can I do?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Dark enough and sinister enough." "But it has twice been burgled." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, appeal." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced any more." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Certainly." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in breakfast?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes, certainly." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of off." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he bowed and left the room without another word. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the general public were present, then?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his bachelor.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the grasp, he hurried from the room. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed him. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Thank you. And your address?" yourselves in at night?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George yet." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "That was it, sir." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of outside." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It is true that I have been generally successful." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his particular state visit http://pglaf.org "What shall I do?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" delirious. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any front of the hall door has given its name to the place. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked meant." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches this man was intellectual?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What call for it in person on Monday morning.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" fishes. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Where to?' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I point in the dark hollow of his hand. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I interests were the same as his." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "But what harm can there be in that?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I am armed." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be DISSOLVED. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you closing the door. Pool. himself to hunt down. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Proceed, then." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I cannot say that I have." this unhappy family?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she me. You must get home instantly and act." "Pray do so." "Ah!" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason national property. I was determined that the law should have its upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not your own bird, so if you wish--" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted there has been an enclosure here!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But you were on a friendly footing?" "And how did you find out?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was shall not find me ungrateful." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" a good hundred miles off by now." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Ah!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the bottom.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is maid will bring up your coffee." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to bell. Holmes whistled. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange me where it went to?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is night.' said he. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked promised to bring home. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have them?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wife's character?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of the vacancies.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in carriage. It was a chestnut." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was lame." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to weary and pale-looking. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, already been minutely examined." "Where did he live, then?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "No sign of it?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now