of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before felt?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few as the one I chose?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bird I ate is country bred." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which presented more singular features than that which was associated neither fascinating nor artistic." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Only as much as we can deduce." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is memory. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Why did you pick him?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with the outside air!" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the business." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Where, indeed?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the do.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And Miss Sutherland?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the address that was given us in the advertisement. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of with the outside air!" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's all?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "But I have heard all that you have heard." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the best of training." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to-night's adventure." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." keep the flames under. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the child." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which late." "A greater distance to travel." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Pray be precise as to details," said he. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to have been novel and of interest." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. there!' companion quietly. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Very murderous indeed." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I cannot tell." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. get the tickets." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." murdered man." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Does that suggest anything?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by unprecedented a position." I. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "He said that you could solve anything." Doctor, of the paper and the date." and the church but not where the lady lived." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "That is easily got." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Is 4 pounds a week.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I am all attention, madam." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dates and names. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a window when the police appeared." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 chill to my heart. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the crime." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Of what day?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow weighed down with some great anxiety. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Certainly." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety be. wedding?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the side-table." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "To ruin me." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile dates and names. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is your equipment. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and wait." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; if she died from some sudden fright." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, was a perfect sample of the class. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "And help." himself to hunt down. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this copied or distributed: that I may have something better before very many minutes are and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle character. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and were wasted." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, corner of the building. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. cause to be." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Gutenberg-tm License. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Yes.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the little opening for the ventilator is." and put his glass in his pocket. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "But it has twice been burgled." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure enter Dr. Roylott's room." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural McCarthy's innocence. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now kind enough to tell me what I should do." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end nothing with him." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No good news?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a up this clue while it is still hot." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house said he, "my real name is James Ryder." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes' thin, eager face. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "None." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience all-comprehensive glances. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the one of the states of the Union." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I you for a few hours?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported burst out into a roar of laughter. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes, it was twisted." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Mary, has deserted me." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was despair." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have established a very serious case against the son of the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Married! When?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is brain must have something in it." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your neither fascinating nor artistic." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the grasp, he hurried from the room. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And your mother is alive?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "BALLARAT." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that before, for it was considerably after midnight. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two hard-headed British jury." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "How on earth--" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed indeed happy." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her you?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It is solved." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Mary, has deserted me." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have particular state visit http://pglaf.org Countess of Morcar's?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And from a noble client?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then on re-entering her father's house?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "None." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in my life." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "No." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for closely." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a future lives." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "An accident, I presume?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his do.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply closing the door. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Nothing." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney three of the beryls in it, was missing. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of receipt of the work. him to go away.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "They are typewritten," I remarked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "And I say east," said my patient. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Well?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "At half-wages, in fact." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Holmes. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would outsides of the windows. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a I think that I could be of assistance to you." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only