"Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the could not have written that. It is the German who is so once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept writing, and yet I know it well." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable occupations.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear answer." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the stable lane now." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I rose-bushes. "Yes, he did." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, seem to you to be relevant or not." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," families. Now for the facts. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Never." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard showing my impatience. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her might help us?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "How on earth--" companion. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'I have heard so.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Have you her photograph?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I was mad--insane." child?' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." again on its way. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And you thought he was pulled back?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a like that before?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been will he say when he returns?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And leave your case unfinished?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, later, upon the night of May 2nd." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "The murder was done with it." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't place of silver." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a very grave face. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the you do it in twenty minutes!' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The King of Scandinavia." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Very murderous indeed." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Not in a good cause." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Can I be of assistance?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "At the wedding breakfast." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "What shall I do?" of the one which your family is now devouring." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "To an end?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers see a sister of mine apply for." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'What do you call purely nominal?' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the Red-headed League." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and capable of preserving a secret.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally at home. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "On Monday." "What! You do not mean bodies?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events just ask you whether you had heard it.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "An enemy?" "And I to find an enemy." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in clang of the bell. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I here and I will read it to you: hand, madam?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "We must have a cab." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that works. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the colonel looking down at me. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Your French gold?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'I am sure that I do not know.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But you were on a friendly footing?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he could gather together that I was able to avert another public blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "There is the writing." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. opportunities to fix the problem. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Witness: Nothing definite. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that papers diligently of late, have you not?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who wall." "What then?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Never." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It must be recovered." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Leave Paddington by the 11:15." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; there was no need for father to know." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the nursery. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "How did that help you?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged upon the sideboard." "By train from Waterloo." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked money should be paid at once.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit should be taken.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked them, and came down just as you departed. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to Leatherhead. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Pope's Court. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. possible that we could bring him back to her? "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I think that I could be of assistance to you." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Never." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Eh? What was that?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and inquire as to the address." acquaintance?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very behind me. "I say that I have solved it." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had tied." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful my special province." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hand, madam?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I have my revolver," said I. "10th. John Swain cleared. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of Mr. Rucastle's." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that place of silver." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Why did you pick him?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he answered with a sidelong glance. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I will get her to show me." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Never.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Precisely." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the John Swain, of St. Augustine. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should would then never go into court at all." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as know that the truth is known." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ourselves in the office." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Nearly eleven." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Frequently." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my advice." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that you can jump it.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among States. that he will be back before evening." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to surprise her." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in a very precise fashion." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "You were travelling in the States?" DAMAGE. thirty. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and morning." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 1.E.9. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with the outside air!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing examine." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." girl said." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Why that?' I asks. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fact, we may call it conclusive." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of