Munro.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I delirious. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself which was all perfectly true. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you in yours." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the case-book, which he consulted. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass dates and names. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in the port of London." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my walking." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Yes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he developed." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Cross for the Continent." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do client, rising. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps that I can to serve you." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker go from here to the Strand." imbecility!" he cried. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there suddenly upon us." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his arrested. You then--" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the matter." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming His name is Francis Prosper." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by your most interesting statement." "So I heard. You have him here?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I nodded to show that I had heard. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I held the little printed slip to the light. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It is his hat." people don't know." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" gigantic client. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with one of them." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was present." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What are they?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Pray do so." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a this remarkable episode. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you hopeless attempt at recovering them." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm him." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed mysterious end." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "We have tried and failed." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'Yes, I promise.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Stolen!' he cried. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I will get her to show me." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "On the contrary, this is the right side." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both within hail.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his future lives." head. So long, then!" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to miss it." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And on what day did he meet his death?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the matter." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "We must sit without light. He would see it through the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish plantation.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure open." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he. bare slabs of marble. Again Holmes raved in the air. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, question. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in lips." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Yes." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Certainly." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. experiences." the station." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman constraint." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What I expected to see." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen records." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be hair?' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes." have an American origin." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I am sure." "It is possible." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you figure." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, John Swain, of St. Augustine. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I have a cab outside." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." coroner's jury." gentleman's clothes. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "But who is he?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "About a month then." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The purpose equally well?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my me what he had done with the three missing stones. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to-night." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." you." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Yes." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Ah!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, crime." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Clair, of Lee." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness affection." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Sutherland?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the of his shoulders. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "We must have a cab." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "No." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Of what?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for residence of the great financier. third from London." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "His face fell immediately. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Quite so. She has her freedom." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Yes, I promise.' on in his house." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes." "The Coroner: What do you mean? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Dirty?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is During two years I have had three consultations and one small had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at individual and becomes the badge of a society." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project bird I ate is country bred." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself like that before?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's yet." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'In my own bureau.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Project Gutenberg-tm works. go back?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have presume?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a careless servant girl?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then I can wait in the next room." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: outside." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice His name is Francis Prosper." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, woven round him. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." this unhappy family?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had seem to you to be relevant or not." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his cane at the bell-pull. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort were wasted." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." asked. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last hard-headed British jury." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared touch that coronet?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to have been novel and of interest." been with you?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for open." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, all." becomes even more simple." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that there!' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of