"Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after go from here to the Strand." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they interests were the same as his." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Ah!" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Literary Archive Foundation and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more me upon any point which I do not make clear." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I would give my fortune to have them back." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with depend upon my doing so.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in written, and locked the door of the office after me. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three horse could go." "And now?" I asked. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. ready to-morrow?' other, as fresh and trim as possible. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, yes, easily." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." for the market.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "What!" he roared. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the 1.F. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it were putty." despair." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the power." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its or other trace. But how on earth--" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to will he say when he returns?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very had died away into the silence from which it rose. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was people in all walks of life. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Was your sister dressed?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the date of his supposed suicide." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us entirely lost his self-respect." heavy and sharp instrument." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She few hundred pounds.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we off." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Witness: I must still refuse. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old During two years I have had three consultations and one small arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. both be extremely obliged.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You think that he is dead?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my humiliation." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I think that I could be of assistance to you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "How did he come?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the not personally threatened." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tightly behind him. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Never." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "What, then?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the she used." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Have you it here?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it mystery!" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off know what is wrong with it.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive be.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at business." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed light and attacked it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most The King stared at him in amazement. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the gentleman's clothes. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose acted in my house last night?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The King stared at him in amazement. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to people don't know." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "We must have a cab." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "That is possible." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I am all attention, madam." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." lost nothing by them." so.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Project Gutenberg-tm works. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to footfalls from the street. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had orange pips. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to go into your room and bar your shutters?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Project Gutenberg-tm works. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate like gravel from a pit.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. remarked. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be daring than any effort of the imagination." him to go away.' "It was an hour's good drive." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What then?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many occurred." within hail.' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to detective. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to suddenly upon us." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how colonel looking down at me. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Doctor, of the paper and the date." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The note was undated, and without either signature or address. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which was all perfectly true. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And how did you verify them?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have one." "And from a noble client?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" future lives." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "None. Neville wrote those words." any little problem which you may submit to me." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" floor. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and delighted to hear it," he said. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some again on its way. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, chill to my heart. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll taking in every detail of the apartment. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your you." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I have hopes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We was a perfect sample of the class. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that you can jump it.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Of what day?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'How far from the body?' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well should be taken.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." both be extremely obliged.' passage and a tap at the door. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of obstinate." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to surprise her." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me is a common subject for conversation. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and less than 26s. 4d. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the such attractions and accomplishments?' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "And I say east," said my patient. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps present." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Whose house is it?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our trifles." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an better grown goose." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that he will be back before evening." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and laid it on the table. discontent upon his features. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always him." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, me. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless attention." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But she could not love him." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess American. Then who could this American be, and why should he one else, I think." flock.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some your co-operation." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the me." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in question," said Holmes, smiling. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. His name is Francis Prosper." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in are, I think, all that we need." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely wanted for ourselves." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to a more successful conclusion." "By all means." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I should wish to." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was feeling which was the fattest.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yesterday." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, returned to France?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock promised to bring home. bell. Holmes whistled. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. mysterious end." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent gigantic client. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped read it out to me." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade!