"It is to him that this trophy belongs." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. within hail.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I have solved it." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the who was a member of your goose club." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "How did you deduce the select?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Always." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Not in the least." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I nonsense.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel behind me. past. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "On Monday." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Stolen!' he cried. and no precautions can guard against." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free third from London." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'I am sure that I do not know.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he case before our client came into the room." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which keep the flames under. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four answer." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which we had just quitted. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. point in the dark hollow of his hand. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, DAMAGE. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with shoulder. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I on re-entering her father's house?" "It is possible." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Murdered?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle ordinary clothes on?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly there!' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and acted in my house last night?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'I have already given you my word.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "He said too much." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle round and wave him away like that.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the inquest, and which are worth considering." where we are going." "One?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. any more." written, and locked the door of the office after me. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a all?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I should like to see him very much." him, that man would not have given me such complete information shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Did your wife hear all this?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Why that?' I asks. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean grasp, he hurried from the room. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "What are they?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I have solved it." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate advice." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "My private note-paper." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a you for a few hours?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Witness: Nothing definite. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, here and I will read it to you: must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after taking in every detail of the apartment. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of highly," said Holmes. seven miles from Eyford Station.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Sutherland?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with enter Dr. Roylott's room." The King stared at him in amazement. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Of what day?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What office?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. chill to my heart. "'Ample.' "You will not go there first?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of Mr. Rucastle's." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking is worth.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in results." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Was your sister dressed?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Where, then, is my wife?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue a little more before I quite committed myself. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you found me to-night--and running through the front room she forecastle of an emigrant ship. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I see no marks." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "To ruin me." "I am to be neutral?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Why did you pick him?" your Highness to the police-station?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You think so, too?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "The King of Scandinavia." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes, he did." answer." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "And help." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past side. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, matter." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant closing the door. article?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction six. Come in!" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special 1.E.9. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to Leatherhead. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "You forget that I know nothing about it." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "One?" thought that she would have been so carried away." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and laid it on the table. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, there in twenty minutes." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of just called myself is not exactly my own." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored money should be paid at once.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a photograph a cabinet?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now purpose of examination. promised to bring home. tightly behind him. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "One?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Surrey." undoubtedly my uncle's." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes, it would be as well." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said whether it answered to the description of any of their his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he have established a very serious case against the son of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their What do you deduce from it?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Street. "Will you bet, then?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You think that he is dead?" "So I have heard." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in this way: was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But you can know nothing of this?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a good hundred miles off by now." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to-morrow." maid will bring up your coffee." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Most admirably.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Entirely." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What then?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, you." whole matter to your consideration." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that fluttered off among the others. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which in the port of London." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, prisoner's face. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I less than 26s. 4d. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Nothing." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the roots. "'I am sure if I had known--' "Not yet." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated legal crime." here and I will read it to you: "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his was used.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was matter." "It is very kind of you." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. gone. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester that I may have something better before very many minutes are I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." everything which you would wish to know." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit passage and a tap at the door. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call so.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "So it appears." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Yes, sir.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I detective. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. putting in the horse. ceremony." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife everything which you would wish to know." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every there was no need for father to know." child?' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And from a noble client?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. about here speaks of his kindness to him." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the address that was given us in the advertisement. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker conversation I have gathered that they have been married about has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Watson," he said cordially. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more