see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! there when the Rucastles went away." to talk it over. attention." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I guessed as much." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You have the photograph?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of his grey eyes. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. page at http://pglaf.org "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The villagers almost as much as their master. writers could invent nothing more crude." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I nodded again. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "But you can know nothing of this?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I never have." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but daring than any effort of the imagination." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "By no means." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the running down." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. careless servant girl?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "None. Neville wrote those words." IS you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Who by?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I own family. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Then I am your man." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. intrusion of other matters." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Where could I find him?' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "At what time?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the get her out of the way." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I would pay ten." my former friend and companion. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Yes." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to room?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy green of the new foliage. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as yours." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good strange features which were associated with the two crimes which very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had hard-headed British jury." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sutherland. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper morning." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It must be recovered." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. companion imperturbably. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough astonishment. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall again before evening." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The during which he might have communicated with his friend the "The best possible." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' answer." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the bottom.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And now?" I asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "A greater distance to travel." "It is half-past ten now." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I never have." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And how did he make his money?" him. drove away. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? carried out of court." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could there." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "But he might be a bachelor." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and me upon any point which I do not make clear." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Sholtos." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that he will be back before evening." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "At what time?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "And your father? Did you tell him?" populous neighbourhood." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for guilty one." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to talk it over. said he. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle round and wave him away like that.' footfalls from the street. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to London for the present?" "None." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "From his hat?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 1.E.9. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if daring than any effort of the imagination." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the assist you in forming an opinion." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" brandy and water within his reach. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and any." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I cannot imagine." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Ten to two.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we silent! Oh, he will be silent!' furiously. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." corner of the building. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson My friend smiled. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "To an English lawyer named Norton." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let as yours." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Is 4 pounds a week.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without My friend smiled. hour?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it secret." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. your only hope of safety." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Perfectly so." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk existence." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Was she in good spirits?" the stable lane now." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "That is easily got." distinguish the words: "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other more terrible than the truth. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more know what is wrong with it.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to kind enough to tell me what I should do." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of client, rising. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can cup of tea. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was felt?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the never will be, entirely cleared up. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I there!' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'What do you call purely nominal?' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole a very grave face. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I shall be delighted." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "And leave your case unfinished?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to whatever might befall. society." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" guilty parties." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, records." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to some other building. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down chambers. it. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I answered that I had not. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Very much so." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and that he would see to anything that turned up. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to affect your life." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Where to?' States. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the one as in the other." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the dangers which encompass me." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What will you say?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." chance." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then redistribution. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Have you her photograph?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in back into the street. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those paper in the air. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And that is--" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the coronet in his hand?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "But the mystery?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and think that any burglar could have done. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, know what is wrong with it.' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I will get her to show me." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shaken than I had ever seen him. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were meanly of me." Holmes' thin, eager face. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering shoulder. "Eh? What was that?" was shining brightly. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a following enigmatical notices: "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "That is unusual in a young girl." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the directors, with the result that you have seen." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." all?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "What can it mean?" I gasped. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be appeal." the salesman. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to