quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Have you it here?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "No, thank goodness, she did not." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have My friend smiled. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But the mystery?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'About the same.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I think that it is very probable." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Have you good authority for what you say?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his heavy and sharp instrument." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my second." handed it to him. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and kind enough to tell me what I should do." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Certainly,' I answered. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "In heaven's name, what for?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she go back?" that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another beg that you will break it off." you." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I see many objections to any such theory." "But of what society?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation must compliment you." "That was it, sir." morning." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are notes," he said. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer house for five minutes.' States. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the crackling voice. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes, that is the Crown." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. nothing of it?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note together. "And why?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Very. But will he see it?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers asked. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, infinite languor in his face. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' grasp, he hurried from the room. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes, sir." meant it for the best. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was any more." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private woman." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And help." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to if only as a check to my own memory." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part at my own good fortune. "Very murderous indeed." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "In which, sir?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Where could I find him?' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of campaign. "She showed me, as I told you she would." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to me. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "An enemy?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Chief Executive and Director annoyance, but no jest. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power not within a twentieth part of the market price." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a whole matter to your consideration." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What steps will you take?" I asked. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "At half-wages, in fact." "He disappeared so suddenly." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding union?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of unprofitable." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back address. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the chill to my heart. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" some water from a caraffe. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner strong and stiff." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." instincts rose up against that laugh. key turn in the lock." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'How far from the body?' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that you wished to speak to me?' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my From what you have told me I think that it is possible that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study eat it." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes." "I came to find a friend." "But you have hopes?" the dangers which encompass me." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "9th. McCauley cleared. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "And how?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be bore every mark of being an average commonplace British little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, as he folded up the epistle. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "None." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I say that I have solved it." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yes, all." "And you can do nothing until then?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Where to?' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my skylight. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Ten will be early enough." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the go--none." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence ceremony." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "And on what day did he meet his death?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Quite so." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the child." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It must be recovered." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your had formerly been in part my own. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church his fortune, and I went back to pa. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the devil!" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it before, for it was considerably after midnight. more solid." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by rat could hardly pass through." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And what did you see?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Nothing?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the long narrative. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I say that I have solved it." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual galvanised. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the coronet at all injured?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Here?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the little opening for the ventilator is." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence one of them." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety depend upon your compliance." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the question. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Countess of Morcar's?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ashen face. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like one else, I think." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they enter into my head. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, weighed down with some great anxiety. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique at my remark. "'Quite sure, dad.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they father's place of business?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Precisely so. But how--" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the dangers which encompass me." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I shall be delighted." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you for a few hours?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts presented more singular features than that which was associated Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these your billet.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the ways of our fellow-men." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back your billet.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she straighten it?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my bedroom door." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to-night?' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a look dissatisfied." page at http://pglaf.org that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And why?" was used.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "An enemy?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "No." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest touch that coronet?' noble correspondent could be. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "When did it break out?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I brandy and water within his reach. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you everything which you would wish to know." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his