even of instruction." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" detained." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I which our visitor detailed to us. "You think so, too?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too union?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its back alive. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'I shall certainly be there.' Holmes' room. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And your mother is alive?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in about. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your works. See paragraph 1.E below. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I have solved it." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his eyes and forehead. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and went to the Alpha were town bred." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I done what I asked you, Jones?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Very much so." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per woven round him. "Precisely." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. answered with a sidelong glance. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he hurried away. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I cannot tell." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, have got?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." through." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he remarked. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or future lives." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was used.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of pound a week." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper their singular warning or token before them when starting upon should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of so far?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I will do it." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have approach us with offers to donate. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to a light-house. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "And who is her maid?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. constraint." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done window when the police appeared." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' three fields round his house, and there he would take his of the vacancies.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now electronic works "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds best detective that ever lived. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Of what day?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Breckinridge is his name." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hour." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And how did he make his money?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I have my revolver," said I. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public breakfast?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in his power. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or that you wished to speak to me?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for their singular warning or token before them when starting upon at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an direction." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there attention." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And now?" I asked. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence placed his cuttings. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security advice." over with notes and figures. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE o'clock is it?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Not I." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "No, my brougham is waiting." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with during which he might have communicated with his friend the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Street. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition companion quietly. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my foresight and the moral retrogression?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now jewels which you have stolen?' "Yes, sir." What do you deduce from it?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her you for a few hours?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of go--none." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul memory. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a is acting for the best. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wedding?" them present such singular features as the strange train of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unprofitable." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Were they all fastened this morning?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes' room. "How are you getting on?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But how will you look?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which redistribution. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Absolutely?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated done what I asked you, Jones?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to where he stood hid behind the curtain. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "So I heard. You have him here?" tightly behind him. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Very good.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Yes, but only for you and me." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It was an hour's good drive." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." could go. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Never.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and off." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the very morning of the wedding." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the stable lane now." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, prepare for the new role I have to play." or in danger--" "I cannot say that I have." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and been deceived." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they sound at heart." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. time." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my IS dramatic, in fact." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in late." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. bedroom door." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is worth.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause where she found matters as described by the last witness. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "So I am. Very much so." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I am still in the dark." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my in the hope of finding them." "But she could not love him." window when the police appeared." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "How about poison?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Who was the criminal, then?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But she could not love him." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "How many? I don't know." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, never will be, entirely cleared up. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran prisoner's face. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The woven round him. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Entirely." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. breakfast?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I danger is over." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" writers could invent nothing more crude." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes, it would be as well." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Absolutely?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the Assizes." towards the blaze. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ heavy and sharp instrument." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who time." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this