"Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. gone. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted people in all walks of life. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Why that?' I asks. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I cannot imagine." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his green of the new foliage. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was carpenter." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I have my revolver," said I. true." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Never,' said I. "But how?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" there." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My opinion is in no way altered." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to enter into my head. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words our word." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "BALLARAT." crime. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his jewels which you have stolen?' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over business matters.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of the way of danger. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. acquaintance?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so exactly what you advise." "None." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the jewels which you have stolen?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." guilty parties." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day deduce something from that?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "That is easily got." I. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. chance at all." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, at the mines." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." one else, I think." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, the wine-cellar." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the inquest, and which are worth considering." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss you in your example." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that you wished to speak to me?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. could not have written that. It is the German who is so words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "My dear Holmes!" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Did he not advertise?" ago." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a whereabouts. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little one's self under obligations.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is before the coroner and the police-court." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "There are none." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left prove to be little relation between the different incidents of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Dark enough and sinister enough." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage happened." shaken than I had ever seen him. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he go--none." "The knees of his trousers." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and the whole place is in a blaze." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our him!" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Henry Baker is a member." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I new acquaintance to Baker Street. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Doctor, of the paper and the date." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "10th. John Swain cleared. McCarthy's innocence. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What, then?" get her out of the way." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that there were so many in the whole country as were brought together unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I have seen the police." the window, rose as we entered. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during was a lad." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: he. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have I gained?" purpose equally well?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "He might." "Which are?" "'Never,' said I. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I think that it is very probable." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime grasp, he hurried from the room. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And help." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rooms." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it in one or two places in England?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond prove to be little relation between the different incidents of wall." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat house for five minutes.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Then, as to money?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the salesman. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. you." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary may have an influence upon European history." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she IS Gutenberg-tm License. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. locked." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Then I can wait in the next room." whole matter to your consideration." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. unprofitable." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fattened it expressly for you.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Not yet." correct than the official force." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said giving me time to thank him. ourselves in the office." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like miles off. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of http://www.gutenberg.net shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf have I gained?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Do you know him?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wall." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to miss it." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time jewels which you have stolen?' like gravel from a pit.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. important." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the golden eyeglasses. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of the way of danger. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But how?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite will he say when he returns?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, pierced for earrings?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Her father is very rich?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if quite distinctive." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just guilty one." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Indeed! Whose, then?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the business came to an end." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I beg pardon." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sneer upon his pale face. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "To an end?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous behind me. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And I to find an enemy." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an have not had my rubber." success. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a tell him that I know him to be innocent." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "To the police?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It lips." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little