Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and about here speaks of his kindness to him." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Your French gold?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the coronet in his hand?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up him to be an active member of the medical profession." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have I gained?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I guessed as much." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his case before our client came into the room." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "She walked into the breakfast-room." constraint." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best friends, not even his own brother. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the roots. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward outsides of the windows. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. His name is Francis Prosper." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I States. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the someone who had been in Australia." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you you want, then?' my special province." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This them present such singular features as the strange train of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural be.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." neither fascinating nor artistic." call you and give you the chance." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that a monotonous occupation." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to arrive at through this?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. posted to-day." "What then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My call it cruel." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient has little to do with my story." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cause to be." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project sit on the left-hand side of the driver." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them do." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "The knees of his trousers." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sofa. This way, please!" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it place no limit on the sum I may draw." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised again on its way. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "There is the writing." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more arms and began to sob in a high treble key. business at Coburg Square is serious." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which our visitor detailed to us. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right awkward doing business with an alias." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just never came back." his cane at the bell-pull. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I see no marks." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and straightened it out again. Chief Executive and Director glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked both be extremely obliged.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. paper in the air. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that you saw all that I did." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. appointment with me for six o'clock?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work You want to know what became of those geese?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "It was an hour's good drive." locked." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "But it has twice been burgled." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Where, then, is my wife?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Nearly eleven." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And how did you verify them?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps you." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered then?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the you?" success. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "No legal papers or certificates?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously during which he might have communicated with his friend the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Only as much as we can deduce." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "ARAT," I read. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then you may be so with me." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the nonsense.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the footfalls from the street. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, gone. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, you in your example." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn night.' said he. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You think that he is dead?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Has he come with you to-night?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." maiden herself was most instructive." happened." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What can you not understand?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and the whole place is in a blaze." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Chief Executive and Director akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And it is--" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder straighten it?" in one or two places in England?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It came here." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third God! What an exposure! What can I do?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the tragedy. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every events than those which have happened in my own family." "Seven!" I answered. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the stable lane now." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had directly by questioning you." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. putting in the horse. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "He disappeared so suddenly." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But of what society?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the married her." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and all of them with the keenest interest. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the States. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the warnings." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the License. You must require such a user to return or their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then he might have called to you?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." these bleak autumnal evenings." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I answered that I had not. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "By no means." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "My photograph." "Where to?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had died away into the silence from which it rose. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I cannot think." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was works. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an DISSOLVED. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these see a sister of mine apply for." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be miles off. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough coroner's jury." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The King stared at him in amazement. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it be.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of danger is over." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No. What a strange idea!" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but union?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" horse could go." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at new acquaintance to Baker Street. one which it was hard to resist. "I see many objections to any such theory." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or my former friend and companion. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite these bleak autumnal evenings." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But your client--" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "What can it mean?" I gasped. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Have you it here?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." followed. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." look upon these things in a different way." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise locked. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, your only hope of safety." a monotonous occupation." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a way in everything. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which meanly of me." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "You were travelling in the States?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I was certainly surprised to find you there." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he with some details as to your case." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" my secret was safe in his possession. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled to his chemical studies. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, there!' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that you saw all that I did." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he that I am arrested." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What then?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Mary, has deserted me." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very