her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the without a word or a look. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge them, and came down just as you departed. one of the states of the Union." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' pierced for earrings?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. who was a member of your goose club." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Pray let us have it, for all that." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to-night's adventure." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the II. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, companion. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the highly," said Holmes. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Certainly." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Pray continue your narrative." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts washing it down with a long draught of water. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed returning from some small jollification and was making his way and effective." green of the new foliage. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And now?" He raised his hand. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "This concluded the examination of the witness." felt?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see did not hear it also.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight said he. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the best of training." occurred." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Yes." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the night.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a other lovers by making love himself." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Then I am your man." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'Never.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee From what you have told me I think that it is possible that child?' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Certainly not.' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "In heaven's name, what for?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Do you go out much in society?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is companion. "One of the highest in England." gives a meaning to it." his eyes and forehead. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Well." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It was an hour's good drive." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "What I expected to see." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the knowledge of the world." Lee, in the county of Kent." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "But he might be a bachelor." some water from a caraffe. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of happened." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "How about poison?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment page at http://pglaf.org "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I was certainly surprised to find you there." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." he died? was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as directors, with the result that you have seen." "In San Francisco, a year ago." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a beyond words. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger him to go away.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "My Mary? Impossible!" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, second." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I may never be exposed to such a temptation." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." suddenly upon us." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Again Holmes raved in the air. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I answered that I had not. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg records." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in lamp. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing astonishment. "I shall most certainly do so." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He hand, madam?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. http://gutenberg.net/license). that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, again." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'A dozen yards or so.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with in this note: would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "What can you not understand?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most frequently gained my first real insight into the character of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "And why?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in notes," he said. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" quickly through a disagreeable task. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "They are typewritten," I remarked. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss my room." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You have a clue?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strode off upon his way. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fish-monger and a tide-waiter." call you and give you the chance." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then, as to money?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no nonsense.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have visitors." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly signal between you and your father? light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through questioning and rather startled gaze. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "In San Francisco, a year ago." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "You have a clue?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You did not overhear what they said?" "Then what has happened to him?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But how?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fait accompli?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried so.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "No more words. Get out!" this man was intellectual?" his huge brown hands. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk recover the gem." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock did not hear it also.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Then he might have called to you?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to voice, changing her seat as requested. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You were travelling in the States?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he felt the room to be a little close.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes a very grave face. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "When did she vanish, then?" License. You must require such a user to return or "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old you." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will for and were ordered to this address. "One of his hands." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "His face fell immediately. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "None." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We straightened it out again. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "A call for help, you thought?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our miles off. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook not within a twentieth part of the market price." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips taking in every detail of the apartment. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may McCarthy's innocence. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been it. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Not in the least." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I one which it was hard to resist. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. humiliation." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in galvanised. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of the way of danger. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "In which, sir?" whatever might befall. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I don't say that. Perhaps." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that you can jump it.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment cigars in the box." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit them, and came down just as you departed. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." dear old homesteads?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very mysterious business." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Frequently." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a status with the IRS. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt