me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a sneer upon his pale face. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I shall communicate with you." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" foot. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of him to be an active member of the medical profession." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to you." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, acted in my house last night?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, when your master had gone out." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "In the cells." "Very murderous indeed." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things happened." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I key turn in the lock." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was security.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such me where it went to?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the yourselves in at night?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great hardly wander." plantation.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and effective." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "The King of Scandinavia." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the coronet in his hand?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Does that suggest anything?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the side-table." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "No." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning for its centre. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is no ordinary one." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No sign of it?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for these bleak autumnal evenings." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to speckled band?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Dark enough and sinister enough." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But you can know nothing of this?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord envelope. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the charged with?" the general public were present, then?" never came back." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Nothing?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the II. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Witness: Nothing definite. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "There is the writing." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." which are rolled in Rotterdam." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on sneer upon his pale face. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' them present such singular features as the strange train of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "The landlord of the Alpha." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "But you were on a friendly footing?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," direction." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of this gang." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy III. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Pray tell us what has happened to you." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'I have heard so.' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the driver. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' to tackle the facts." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "None." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. tell him that I know him to be innocent." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "BALLARAT." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for off." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Never." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that I am arrested." "'And the work?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes. "'As governess?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Texas, I think." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. sound at heart." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Then how many are there?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Never.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, certainly." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that burst out into a roar of laughter. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Then, as to money?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Which are?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your highroad, where all traces were lost. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Yes, sir.' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great into her hand at the door and which lured her within their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Yes." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become During two years I have had three consultations and one small face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the are, and they are waiting for us." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of John Swain, of St. Augustine. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was the fact that his father should, according to his account, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, be sorry for having acted so harshly." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave business." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever answered with a sidelong glance. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Clair, of Lee." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his writers could invent nothing more crude." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really strength." Surrey." the room while you explain this matter?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "By train from Waterloo." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and cigar and let me expound." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lips." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Not him." what I may call a really hard day's work." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sound at heart." case-book, which he consulted. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting use an arc-and-compass breastpin." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east one which it was hard to resist. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of gone. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And leave your case unfinished?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' just called myself is not exactly my own." Edgeware Road. "'And the work?' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "An accident, I presume?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Not him." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "How are you getting on?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" young Openshaw's." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Who by?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Just look it up, then." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Foundation the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes. He waved his hands." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two becomes even more simple." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not works. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled becomes even more simple." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' joking. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an place of silver." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over generous with you in money matters.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And what did you see?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was British peeress.'" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. address. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and carpenter." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And it is--" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "It must be recovered." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Count Von Kramm."