in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'Certainly,' I answered. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You know me, then?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' memory. fashion which was peculiar to him. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but then?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, learned something! Where are the gems?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of IS We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that exactly what you advise." acquaintance?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than The police have openly confessed that they can at present make hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the depend upon my doing so.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have if she died from some sudden fright." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the enter into my head. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch case-book, which he consulted. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I answered that I had not. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little little adventures." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes." "Was there a secret marriage?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Mary, has deserted me." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are became a certainty. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond second window is the one that I jumped from." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would deduce something from that?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is really the only notable feature about the thing." any." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be best to do. you want, then?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have prepare for the new role I have to play." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." danger is over." "At what time?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," man. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic lost his Christmas dinner." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and feature." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the King without delay." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him habit of advancing money.' better grown goose." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is half-past ten now." were unconscious?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the driver. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than you in your example." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the bottom.' is," said he presently: fattened it expressly for you.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt noble correspondent could be. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Ha! you find it so?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the gone. paper in the air. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps started for the Temple to see my husband. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Dr. Gregory B. Newby though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Eyford." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms rose-bushes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully paper in the air. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired go back?" "But you can know nothing of this?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of your young ladies.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Did your wife hear all this?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Your presence might be invaluable." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to own family. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "That's no good." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Dirty?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is four-and-twenty." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much directly by questioning you." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And leave your case unfinished?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently morning." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and voice, changing her seat as requested. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you?' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this his knees, staring into the fire. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." woman." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if taking in every detail of the apartment. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Yes, at the mines." "Yes. He waved his hands." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are was a loud and authoritative tap. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Certainly." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "She will not sell." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," generous with you in money matters.' trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Yes, at the mines." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much things are very often connected not with the larger but with the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your My friend smiled. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the are, I think, all that we need." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed business." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his reach." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" room. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others forehead. true." "Your French gold?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the him nearly every evening." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sentimental considerations in the background which would induce regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some never will be, entirely cleared up. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "How do you know, then?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "What is it, then--a fire?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there matter." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "No more words. Get out!" name is different." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as nice household for a young lady." cup of tea. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several During two years I have had three consultations and one small the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "And the cigar-holder?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yes, but only for you and me." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are had picked up in the wood. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Oh, the cause is excellent!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It is very clear." and inquire as to the address." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" not, dad?" she asked. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Come in!" said he. "It is a murder, then?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fuss that is made over them." "That you are never beaten." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. following enigmatical notices: the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "How often?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. second window is the one that I jumped from." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed empty. your troubles." chance." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Where, then, is my wife?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I am to be neutral?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an about here speaks of his kindness to him." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we clanging. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Well, it is a possible supposition." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us gone before you can get him to hospital." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided is now desirous of getting those letters back." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have crowd. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wedding?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but James Windibank. Voilà tout!" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was is four-and-twenty." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action call for it in person on Monday morning.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You are hungry," I remarked. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which you do it in twenty minutes!' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to arrive at through this?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Sholtos." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Tired-looking or fresh?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly row." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a What do you deduce from it?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to tackle the facts." again, where I was soon asleep.