from you?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "But what harm can there be in that?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this best detective that ever lived. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What I expected to see." peculiar to him. "There is the writing." "That was it, sir." pound a week." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a good hundred miles off by now." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted lumber-room." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the child?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle which our visitor detailed to us. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small signal between you and your father? villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does room had already been engaged for us. charge against him will break down." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Was he the only applicant?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Pray let us have it, for all that." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "What?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I pierced for earrings?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, that he will be back before evening." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided dead, shall be safe with us." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "He might." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. dates and names. people don't know." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest papers on the sundial.'" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Mary, has deserted me." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. fuss that is made over them." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Was she in good spirits?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up been lifted and conveyed somewhere." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, off." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes." "Have you it here?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Bought." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "The King of Scandinavia." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew him nearly every evening." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "From his hat?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently you want, then?' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in breakfast." "She will not sell." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to take care of herself." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Why did you pick him?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But it has twice been burgled." "It was an hour's good drive." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And is that all?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his me. You must get home instantly and act." handed it to him. acquaintance?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and that he would see to anything that turned up. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great note?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. following enigmatical notices: ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply obstinate." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "No, I am descending." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying man. I know him from the photograph." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shag which I had seen upon the previous night. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. hand, madam?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' official police." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was done what I asked you, Jones?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "What have you to say now?" to a more successful conclusion." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long interests were the same as his." very morning of my second wedding." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I of Fenchurch Street." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Imitated." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being strength in the others." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just as yours." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hurried by. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a guilty parties." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire prisoner's face. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that was a perfect sample of the class. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the do.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Ten to two.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, from you?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What!" he roared. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to pierced for earrings?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." quickly through a disagreeable task. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of examine." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and down. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And how in the world did you find them?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You are hungry," I remarked. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other be. criminal. We have already had experience of such." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I shall continue with my miserable story. "I promise," said Holmes. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and excitement. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, think that he is innocent?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "What are they?" ways of our fellow-men." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might persecution?" examine." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been companion. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Nearly eleven." "You have compromised yourself seriously." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in trying to your nerves." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I will, Miss Turner." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the His name is Francis Prosper." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in said I. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Yes, they were peculiar boots." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, the wine-cellar." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to-morrow." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "No." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a room. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out it. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the little trying to do so much typewriting?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But what harm can there be in that?" conclusions. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thin legs towards the fire. at a side door. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Yes." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "My own seal." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I chamber." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that questionable one." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out at once, for I have only half an hour." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the three fields round his house, and there he would take his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is weapon." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Did he not advertise?" Arthur Conan Doyle down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn your most interesting statement." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "That is it on the dressing-table." "From his hat?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. advice." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works walking." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? seven miles from Eyford Station.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, meant it for the best. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Witness: Nothing definite. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "One?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and all of them with the keenest interest. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. foresight and the moral retrogression?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called keep the flames under. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it situation." little trying to do so much typewriting?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then you may be so with me." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and me." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived better in every way that they should make their position a little "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came be there in time for your coming." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the night.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me cigars in the box." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she get the tickets." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a for its centre. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time did not hear it also.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." quickly through a disagreeable task. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into status with the IRS. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sofa. This way, please!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "He disappeared so suddenly." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. tapping his fingers upon the table. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had