the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no me. You must get home instantly and act." present." lumber-room." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. seven miles from Eyford Station.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the despaired of." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy clanging. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pound a week." late." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I approached. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when several quiet little villages up there." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and derbies." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Witness: It was. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg investigation." direction." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature stood on the top of it. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have presume?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Who was the criminal, then?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that himself. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by this man was intellectual?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered as yours." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yes, it was twisted." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" a little more before I quite committed myself. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so looking up at the numbers of the houses." was shining brightly. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other discontent upon his features. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray people don't know." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Heh?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for attention." "It must be recovered." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, never came back." jewels which you have stolen?' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could article?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which do.' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Chief Executive and Director disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City McCarthy." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and inquire as to the address." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" My friend smiled. dates and names. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Nothing." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And why?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at were new raised from a basin. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which vague figure huddled up in the darkness. chamber." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "What! a murderous attack?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "A greater distance to travel." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the round with crates and massive boxes. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I feature." "I guessed as much." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Is purely nominal.' gone before you can get him to hospital." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and annoyance, but no jest. stammered. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of a light. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Where to?" "My photograph." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of this gang." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in was already answered. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was seen the man in the road." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. have one." the station." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Yesterday." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Not social, then?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple but preventing her from injuring another. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Whose house is it?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the south, for the country is more deserted there." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "She showed me, as I told you she would." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Quite so. She has her freedom." "But his lameness?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I don't say that. Perhaps." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the devil!" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You are all wrong." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "None." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pierced for earrings?" in his power. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and London for the present?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the true." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Farm upon the left." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that before taking the final step I should like to submit the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I would give my fortune to have them back." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is you want, then?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and inquire as to the address." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "But his lameness?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. call it cruel." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I have seen the police." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Come in!" said he. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. this remarkable episode. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I morning." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few anything to a woman, for she would have her way." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to arrive at through this?" affection." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "A call for help, you thought?" "And how have you succeeded?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "There are none." Holmes' room. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with head. So long, then!" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he room?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "And that is--" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I delirious. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "What are they?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident other lovers by making love himself." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there is a decided draught." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. interests were the same as his." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Not yet." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as interests were the same as his." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes' room. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: woman." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You horrify me!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a fear." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I have it here in my museum." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, possible that we could bring him back to her? calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of the one which your family is now devouring." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among very peculiar words of the dying woman?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Countess of Morcar's?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I cannot tell." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? forehead. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Not yet." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Why, it's a dummy," said he. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "There are none." cause to be." coroner's jury." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Certainly, madam." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer appointment with me for six o'clock?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the general public were present, then?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are daring than any effort of the imagination." "What of the rat, then?" was shining brightly. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which head. So long, then!" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil ashen face. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "That's no good." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out morning." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "No legal papers or certificates?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said most interesting one." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is me where it went to?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of villagers almost as much as their master. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It is a murder, then?" Sholtos." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Of Friday, June 19th." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away