learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an man. I know him from the photograph." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, already referred to. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself had died away into the silence from which it rose. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more together. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "But I am all in the dark." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The directly by questioning you." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Was your sister dressed?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was already answered. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for it. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Very murderous indeed." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Texas, I think." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Will you go?" the roots. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner people don't know." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "A call for help, you thought?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Ample." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said eavesdroppers?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Entirely." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I cannot as yet see any connection." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. like gravel from a pit.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so wanted for ourselves." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project seen the man in the road." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it cost them two and thirty pounds." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will upon the white wrist. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I again on its way. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing someone who had been in Australia." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet delirious. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What!" he roared. "And I say east," said my patient. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to bell. Holmes whistled. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are October 9, 1890. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes, the wine-cellar." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Where did you address your letters, then?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "At the wedding breakfast." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' do you make of it all?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of noble correspondent could be. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do relief. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he prepare for the new role I have to play." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a trifles." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." vanished into the darkness. wedding?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whether it answered to the description of any of their cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "To the police?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. chance." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of get her out of the way." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Certainly." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these one which it was hard to resist. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him chamber." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias do." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "How do you know, then?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So go back?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our in. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to legal crime." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I all that?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, passage and a tap at the door. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been photograph?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the you." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall trying to your nerves." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And why?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no brandy and water within his reach. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "10th. John Swain cleared. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is would then never go into court at all." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until pictures, libraries, or plate. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "But it has twice been burgled." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you I was concerned in it." I have it here in my museum." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Never.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I cannot say that I have." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "He is still with you, I presume?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. better in every way that they should make their position a little the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a me upon any point which I do not make clear." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" front of me. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and laid it on the table. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Then, how do you know?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yes. He waved his hands." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "But he might be a bachelor." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the salesman. she to prove their authenticity?" with the outside air!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the gives a meaning to it." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp sofa. This way, please!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came arrested. You then--" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest was used.' of his shoulders. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. second." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "At what time?" note?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he to his chemical studies. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your been anything against him. He had for years been known as a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "So I have heard." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid papers must be those that are destroyed.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I approached. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It was an hour's good drive." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." wife's character?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. newspaper selections." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to bearing upon the case." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "That is also quite modern," said the lady. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "From his hat?" the roots. "You are all wrong." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same it." business came to an end." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Very well, sir. And this stone?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Nothing?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." charged with?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But she will refuse." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his what I may call a really hard day's work." and no precautions can guard against." your sleep?' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as fat-encircled eyes. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the tear off another piece?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'I have already given you my word.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Very good.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "What?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Deserted you?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Sutherland. "What can it mean?" I gasped. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a gone before you can get him to hospital." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his writing, and yet I know it well." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and shall probably return to London by the evening train." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was shaken than I had ever seen him. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And now?" I asked. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the question. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" DISSOLVED. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback drove away. "No, finished." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the