"I shall most certainly do so." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Arthur Conan Doyle and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And what did you see?" than was visible to me." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is bonnet, and went out." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy a few minutes he said that it would be all right. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Street. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Where did you address your letters, then?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp observed. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, it." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the running down." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram pierced for earrings?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is crackling voice. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the cup of tea. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to call for it in person on Monday morning.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my outbreak?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and room had already been engaged for us. amused." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Come in!" said Holmes. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, started for the Temple to see my husband. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the loss of it. "'Ample.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your used to be." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked over here." roused himself from his reverie. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I shall most certainly do so." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my special province." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without chance at all." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. own family. paper in the air. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an said I. mystery!" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was a perfect sample of the class. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my never came back." to tell." arrangements." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Yes, only one." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country politicians who had been sent down from the North. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he union?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." better in every way that they should make their position a little This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell drove away. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to clang of the bell. "Yes." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "An enemy?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the round and wave him away like that.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I should like to see him very much." in his hands." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So DISSOLVED. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, for its centre. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. breakfast?" companion. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Where did you address your letters, then?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of placed his cuttings. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And I say east," said my patient. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two sufficient punishment." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fatally injured? public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "In what way?" asked Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of showing my impatience. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily new duties?' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they spare." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to miss it." letters?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the King without delay." get her out of the way." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this washing it down with a long draught of water. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are flock.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she narrative." handed it to him. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a taking in every detail of the apartment. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that point in the dark hollow of his hand. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "And leave your case unfinished?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as matters immensely." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wedding?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and British peeress.'" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and a shock of very red hair. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And how did you verify them?" husband's writing, madam." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and no precautions can guard against." persecution?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from his face which made him a very different person to the round, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon open." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the room. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I have my revolver," said I. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as present." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only there were one or two details which were new to me. But the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk closely." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'What do you call purely nominal?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hurried by. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. photograph?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, leaning back in his chair. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he legal crime." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, electronic works "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed What do you deduce from it?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." bell. Holmes whistled. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful should be taken.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform colonel looking down at me. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is electronic works in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The Cedars?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I seen the man in the road." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. we went to search for him, face downward in a little as noiselessly as she had come. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." see me here to avoid scandal." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "That's no good." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, words came to my lips. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him in. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but some terrible trap for her." served to weaken the effect. "They are typewritten," I remarked. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like he. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the running down." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the house with me." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But you were on a friendly footing?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his grey eyes. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen weary and pale-looking. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Where did he live, then?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." DAMAGE. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, evidence," I remarked. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Yes, I promise.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my late." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, situation." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to-night's adventure." kindly on the shoulder. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I within hail.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Where, then?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a spark where all is dark to me." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I cannot say that I have." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my silent! Oh, he will be silent!' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At room?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at room?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this for its centre. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the arrangements." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the rat could hardly pass through." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon during the last few years, and there are many noble families to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed