be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my page at http://pglaf.org unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the disappearance of the bride.'" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Won't it ring?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But what will you do?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the stable lane now." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of have I gained?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles his face which made him a very different person to the round, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Ample." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side habit of advancing money.' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which you understand?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And sit in the dark?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were absorbing." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some taking in every detail of the apartment. attention." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "To ruin me." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we morning." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." already referred to. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, shoulder; "he's all right." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." happened." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "And help." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Absolutely?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "And why?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I both be extremely obliged.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier train.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel pierced for earrings?" "It's nothing of the kind." families. Now for the facts. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped overpowering excitement and concern. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Most admirably.' "Have you her photograph?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread call the police, let the police find what they can.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to overpowering excitement and concern. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from despaired of." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was it brought him the coronet? "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Yes, I have one waiting." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such lost nothing by them." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward all that?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both you." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Have you good authority for what you say?" Edgeware Road. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' front of me. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's You can understand that this register and diary may implicate been with you?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Quite so. She has her freedom." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'What do you call purely nominal?' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And what did you see?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a morning." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was down. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "You have but to name it." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Nor running a chance of arrest?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of your young ladies.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step union?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, sir." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "No more words. Get out!" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Never.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and your relations to her." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I know where it is." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and late." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. passage and a tap at the door. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, delighted to hear it," he said. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly relief. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking IS arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Entirely." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary evidence," I remarked. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE formed some opinion?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were helping a boy to put up the shutters. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that before taking the final step I should like to submit the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered could go. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "He is dead," cried several voices. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'Yes, I promise.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting congratulate you again." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'And what salary do you ask?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his fortune, and I went back to pa. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making humiliation." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Which are?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'About the same.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to manager. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "But the mystery?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Not yet." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still your most interesting statement." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the are, and they are waiting for us." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Can I be of assistance?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic society." States. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Dirty?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Witness: It was. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Entirely." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Always." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his appeal." to me. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and certainly not very gracious." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of the one which your family is now devouring." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. fluttered off among the others. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not second window is the one that I jumped from." dear old homesteads?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own vault. "You did not overhear what they said?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "No." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "And you thought he was pulled back?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lamp in his hand. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was from you?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "But I have heard all that you have heard." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'In my own bureau.' visitors." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' not personally threatened." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord he. suddenly upon us." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Was she in good spirits?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined points in connection with it which never have been, and probably had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so persecution?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "And leave your case unfinished?" address. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little spark where all is dark to me."