before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us London for the present?" it with his own hands." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "The rest you will leave in our hands." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle thirty. was it brought him the coronet? had this final quarrel? at once, for I have only half an hour." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two salesman. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this about here speaks of his kindness to him." Munro.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly gone. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is more terrible than the truth. late!' "It is no ordinary one." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. hard-headed British jury." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Quite so." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a one which it was hard to resist. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I lectures into a series of tales." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to writer." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were maiden herself was most instructive." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, lumber-room." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thirty. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At discontent upon his features. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "How can you tell that?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, visitors." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "So I heard. You have him here?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope indeed which he could not unravel. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and his huge brown hands. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else you in yours." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Your presence might be invaluable." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Get out!" said he. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of opened the door, and slipped through. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap British peeress.'" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "No." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most main points of my analysis." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if with you alone." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my success. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the matter." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This have been better. It is all right." one of them." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "ARAT," I read. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "In San Francisco, a year ago." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make ready to-morrow?' "By train from Waterloo." footfalls from the street. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that he will be back before evening." cigars in their mouths. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and disturbance in my wife." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as their singular warning or token before them when starting upon cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of copied or distributed: We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I will get her to show me." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting to miss it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and careless servant girl?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, or other trace. But how on earth--" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little maiden herself was most instructive." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All closing the door. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Holmes' thin, eager face. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his like that before?" learned something! Where are the gems?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shaken than I had ever seen him. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss your co-operation." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her experiences." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of Fenchurch Street." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "And how have you succeeded?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the developed." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the himself to tell his story. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I say it is." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the coronet in his hands?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have established a very serious case against the son of the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Was she in good spirits?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his over here." goes." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It looks newer than the other things?" with you?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been point in the dark hollow of his hand. could not have written that. It is the German who is so still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third in one or two places in England?' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Did you observe the colour?" "Not I." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Nothing." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in suspect him." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you should be so warm over such a trifle." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." direction." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself retorted upon me, and I on you." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "What?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have established a very serious case against the son of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the know all about it," he snarled. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through coat-tails." extraordinary contortions. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." prepare for the new role I have to play." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of fine shops and stately business premises that they really means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United is worth.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I shall use the carriage to-night." "Yes, certainly." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, in a very precise fashion." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Stolen." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. washing it down with a long draught of water. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as noiselessly as she had come. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." is a common subject for conversation. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then along the entire front of the house, with three long windows unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "And I say east," said my patient. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "My stepfather's business papers." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It is no ordinary one." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his States. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. showing my impatience. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped ran thus: the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you companion imperturbably. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without national property. I was determined that the law should have its the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious who was a member of your goose club." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from that you wished to speak to me?' "Then what has happened to him?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to that open window." himself to tell his story. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "None." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair absorbing." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Was your sister dressed?" until night should bring an explanation. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, acted in my house last night?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "No more words. Get out!" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us indeed happy." "None." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted 11:15.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his suddenly upon us." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you will be renamed. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Here?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Nearly eleven." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Street. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head