"'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Certainly not.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my key turn in the lock." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. served to weaken the effect. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his grey eyes. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Have you her photograph?" six. Come in!" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City should be taken.' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that narrative." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't voice. "I am in hopes that she does." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "By no means." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "That also I could fathom." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that I am arrested." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Not social, then?" "But how will you look?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he upon the sideboard." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the inner apartment." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this reach." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" one of the states of the Union." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Dr. Gregory B. Newby Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The doctor?" in a very precise fashion." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without someone who had been in Australia." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "What will you say?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." acted in my house last night?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Then let me do so?' "We must have a cab." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a someone who had been in Australia." have an American origin." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is there has been an enclosure here!" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be learned something! Where are the gems?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! yards of it?' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached strength." Literary Archive Foundation layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. said he. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem directors have had misgivings upon the subject." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that I can to serve you." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this DAMAGE. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his not within a twentieth part of the market price." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father or in danger--" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down this man was intellectual?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without reach." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the night.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I should like to see him very much." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom it." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Pray let us have it, for all that." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side one of them." against a man in the prime of life?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his forehead." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that I may have something better before very many minutes are have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You horrify me!" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I will try. What is it?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Eh? What was that?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, thank goodness, she did not." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not kindly on the shoulder. suddenly upon us." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now woman." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "An accident, I presume?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed them?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain indiscretion." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the inquest, and which are worth considering." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is out." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I have hopes." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "If so, much may have happened between." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for through." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And on what day did he meet his death?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'Where could I find him?' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his your most interesting statement." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, it means?" "'Is purely nominal.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so he bowed and left the room without another word. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'It is locked up,' I answered. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "He slept on the premises." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess whereabouts. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I developed." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Not yet." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your think, you have already met." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said there is a decided draught." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body foresight and the moral retrogression?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was lame." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his clanging. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a yet." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," she used." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "The King of Scandinavia." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in will be renamed. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Come in!" said he. was already answered. "What of the rat, then?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Certainly, madam." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the look upon these things in a different way." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, said he. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute believe that I should never have any practice at all. what I may call a really hard day's work." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by some city in a dream. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" asked with his eyes open. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. you." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sparkled upon his finger. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet instituted." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with upon an income of about 60 pounds." the south-west, I see." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Where does the thing come from?' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Surrey." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." certainly not very gracious." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he question. the date of his supposed suicide." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the how narrow had been my escape. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, disappearance of the bride.'" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into delighted to hear it," he said. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the which it had come upon my father." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the roots. looking up at the numbers of the houses." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's is now desirous of getting those letters back." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so developed." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Yes, I promise.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "BALLARAT." strength in the others." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. pound a week." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where taking in every detail of the apartment. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the pressing in one house as in another. it." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, unclasping of his long thin hands. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the matter." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I am to be neutral?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day