stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of sofa. This way, please!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could in darkness. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in charge against him will break down." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said wife's character?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "And the murderer?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" room had already been engaged for us. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, interested in these little problems, and since you are good have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Not social, then?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback outside." ventilator." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." with some details as to your case." the child." my little problems." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I should wish to." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "And the murderer?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And Miss Sutherland?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "What then?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in one or two places in England?' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that I can to serve you." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "My dear Holmes!" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will bedroom door." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "That you are never beaten." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the inquest, and which are worth considering." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What steps will you take?" I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. thirty. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might you?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. papers diligently of late, have you not?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I see no marks." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, go back?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I following enigmatical notices: continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Did your wife hear all this?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the people in all walks of life. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to his chemical studies. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your guilty parties." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the detained." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "That is possible." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and tapping his fingers upon the table. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the stones. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Well." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in you?" the stones. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness your most interesting statement." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in on in his house." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Have you it here?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the was a perfect sample of the class. "How about poison?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I am to be neutral?" "What are they?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Where, then, is my wife?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told guilty parties." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he rooms." union?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Stoke Moran." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he purpose equally well?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "The rest you will leave in our hands." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a never came back." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And why in hopes?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It is possible." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, During two years I have had three consultations and one small Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the best of training." hereditary King of Bohemia." the best of training." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of drove away. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With will not take me long to tell. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'It is locked up,' I answered. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "When did she vanish, then?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we death." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to Leatherhead. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But who is he?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security looking up at the numbers of the houses." system of imprisonment?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the residence of the great financier. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted him nearly every evening." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, existence." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square easy-going way." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "And on what day did he meet his death?" generous with you in money matters.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Literary Archive Foundation "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and the church but not where the lady lived." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive lost his Christmas dinner." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has had no one to advise her at such a crisis." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you handed it to him. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, notes," he said. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could asked. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel of his shoulders. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Mary, has deserted me." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of him, that man would not have given me such complete information to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came him to be an active member of the medical profession." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of with frightened eyes at his accuser. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I annoyance, but no jest. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Watson," he said cordially. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "But you would not advise me to refuse?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. within hail.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer up this clue while it is still hot." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third trifles." about. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I guessed as much." "But the mystery?" was a perfect sample of the class. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hair?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and hard-headed British jury." bedroom door." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon you." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," he. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be note?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "We were both in the photograph." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that next day. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You not personally threatened." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the business at Coburg Square is serious." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." But Holmes shook his head gravely. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I have seen the police." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass with you?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he simple cases which are so extremely difficult." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "How did you trace it, then?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has status with the IRS. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "In San Francisco, a year ago." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "My own seal." not, dad?" she asked. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I cannot tell." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City suddenly upon us." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He slept on the premises." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "And leave your case unfinished?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found absorbing." back alive. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them *** START: FULL LICENSE *** certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the inner apartment." desk. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I nodded again. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. public press." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the companion. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am said I. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend fatally injured? where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up