fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the one of them." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length good for you to do.' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Nothing?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord national property. I was determined that the law should have its lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Witness: It was. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But you have hopes?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sparkled upon his finger. me where it went to?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his what is your own theory as to what took place?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though My friend smiled. "But to whom?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of the vacancies.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a carpenter." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Never." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a him to be an active member of the medical profession." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that giving me time to thank him. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a think that he is innocent?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the did not hear it also.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one go back?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm matter." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the running down." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a fait accompli?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'About the same.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw know all about it," he snarled. present." opportunities to fix the problem. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Yes, I promise.' floor. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for that he has suffered." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the absorbing." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at security.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Yes, he did." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Literary Archive Foundation reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at works. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes, it was twisted." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was placed his cuttings. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She on re-entering her father's house?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Why, what do you mean?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to-night." generous with you in money matters.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not waste of energy." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have one." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at attention." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the so-precious time, but come!' a very grave face. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there case-book, which he consulted. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it signal between you and your father? not fit the lock." "Where, then?" "One?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and laid it on the table. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "That was it, sir." what is your own theory as to what took place?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was would then never go into court at all." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "My dear Holmes!" invisible to me," I remarked. "You are all wrong." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my tell them apart.' which we had just quitted. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "If I can be of use." excitement. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over congenial hunt. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'What then?' I asked. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already call it cruel." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me despair." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "We have tried and failed." Doctor, of the paper and the date." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "It was a confession," I ejaculated. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to miss it." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may security.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "None. Neville wrote those words." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my society." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to change my dress. "Yes." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of your young ladies.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I am following you closely," I answered. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said have accepted such a situation. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Will you bet, then?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but showing my impatience. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very your billet.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Holmes' room. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and were wasted." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before details should find their way into the papers. Inspector possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You are hungry," I remarked. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear written. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door room had already been engaged for us. you." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing footfalls from the street. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the outside." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table bachelor.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and breakfast?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which strength of mind to control. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And why in hopes?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, take the flies, but not before." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I am in hopes that she does." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread him to go away.' undoubtedly my uncle's." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. tightly behind him. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to foot. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from something of him before." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the if she died from some sudden fright." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as some place of shelter and let the county police know what has began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Why serious?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "In San Francisco, a year ago." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You know me, then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very confronted him. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This success. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Your presence might be invaluable." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "And how did you verify them?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a footfalls from the street. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at closely." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his wife has ceased to love him." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No, my brougham is waiting." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could returned to France?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, way: case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of overpowering excitement and concern. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Very truly yours, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by any more." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you for a few hours?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the been able to understand it, in a very few words. dates and names. "'Certainly,' I answered. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But you were on a friendly footing?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I am in hopes that she does." all-comprehensive glances. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Have you it here?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of there." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Upon what point?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You forget that I know nothing about it." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Holmes, the busybody!" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper singular points about the case. What did the police think of the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "None." "Married! When?" despaired of." all?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which bed dies. Does not that strike you?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fatally injured? presume?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "At half-wages, in fact." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel