suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet such attractions and accomplishments?' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But it has twice been burgled." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Not in the least." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the digesting their breakfasts at home." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the do.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It is solved." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the your co-operation." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "So I heard. You have him here?" you." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "You have carte blanche." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I will do it." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Thank you. And your address?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend present." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to shaken than I had ever seen him. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just suggested at once that there must be a communication between the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sneer upon his pale face. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Very good.' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Never,' said I. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "One of the highest in England." "What do you mean?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may spare." the nursery. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the London for the present?" pictures, libraries, or plate. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he here." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master letters?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I train.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the indeed happy." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Your French gold?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in a friendly supper." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here province." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." your Highness to the police-station?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But we can't all be." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of from you?" tied." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he what is your own theory as to what took place?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that allusion to a rat. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and that he would see to anything that turned up. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I say that I have solved it." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, awaited us upon the table. detective. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such congratulate you again." "The best possible." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the his fortune, and I went back to pa. in the dead of the night?' more solid." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bird I ate is country bred." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." front of me. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very held up the lantern and gazed about him. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out papers." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Tired-looking or fresh?" help us in this matter." point in the dark hollow of his hand. detained." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I will get her to show me." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "10th. John Swain cleared. vault. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with outside." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes' room. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a excitement. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all system of imprisonment?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the colour had been driven from his face. confronted him. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I see no marks." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his behind me. "Yes." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Witness: I must still refuse. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you down from London to inquire more deeply into it." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so orange pips. in darkness. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Ha! you find it so?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "And now?" I asked. investigation." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than suspect him." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was it brought him the coronet? who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Not social, then?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Perhaps we may make them less so." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of deduce something from that?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not are windows in it, of course?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a more solid." true." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I have come for advice." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Why did you pick him?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The best possible." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you overpowering excitement and concern. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I was mad--insane." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, better grown goose." third from London." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and bill, which interests me deeply." of the one which your family is now devouring." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Did your wife hear all this?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And when will you call?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you came in." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. digesting their breakfasts at home." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I was mad--insane." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well, it is a possible supposition." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common face and glided from the room. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar a little more before I quite committed myself. "'About the same.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that I can to serve you." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, For additional contact information: Does that suggest anything?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran nonsense.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "My photograph." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done works. See paragraph 1.E below. suddenly upon us." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the not come at once?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see shaken than I had ever seen him. before, for it was considerably after midnight. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not personally threatened." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Where, then, is my wife?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in a friendly supper." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I am all attention, madam." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' ran thus: "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Thank you. And your address?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "What is it, then--a fire?" entirely lost his self-respect." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter had no one to advise her at such a crisis." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, acquaintance?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the coat-tails." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this there was no need for father to know." what is your own theory as to what took place?" brain must have something in it." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt money should be paid at once.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm formed some opinion?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in the port of London." arrested. You then--" copied or distributed: reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me she to prove their authenticity?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "No, I am descending." "I was afraid that you were engaged." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since prisoner's face. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to said he. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the coronet in his hand?" sound at heart." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes, I have one waiting." best detective that ever lived. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small success. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the instincts rose up against that laugh. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing correct than the official force." "And how in the world did you find them?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my I shall continue with my miserable story. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I was afraid that you were engaged." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods."