"It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, through." License. You must require such a user to return or hand, madam?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the he. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Street. what do you think they found in the pockets?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed trying to your nerves." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "That's no good." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No, I think that I'll take it." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been eat it." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last like gravel from a pit.' For additional contact information: a good hundred miles off by now." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the side-table." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact money should be paid at once.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I never have." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the driver. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the door?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a better grown goose." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "By train from Waterloo." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through friend's singular character. "Your sister is dead, then?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Very. But will he see it?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of constraint." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, closing the door. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not them, and came down just as you departed. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down out." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose showing my impatience. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that I may have something better before very many minutes are pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And how did you verify them?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small begun to whiten, even as mine has." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a kind enough to tell me what I should do." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Farm upon the left." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what whatever might befall. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, there when the Rucastles went away." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most she used." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting memory. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up once more. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' you?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "We have tried and failed." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I will try. What is it?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than door?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered relief. held up the lantern and gazed about him. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I cannot imagine." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before with the outside air!" business matters.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "What! a murderous attack?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if searched, without anything being found which could incriminate in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings dear old homesteads?" "But what will you do?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his gone. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that memory. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'It is locked up,' I answered. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Absolutely?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with you for a few hours?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "The vanishing of the lady." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens your most interesting statement." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty maiden herself was most instructive." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Perfectly so." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Stoke Moran?" said he. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Then I do not see the point." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite coroner's jury." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "My stepfather's business papers." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in here and I will read it to you: "But the mystery?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall there was no need for father to know." union?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' signal between you and your father? until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the nothing of it?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his knees, staring into the fire. roused himself from his reverie. the child." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a down. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone discontent upon his features. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last someone who had been in Australia." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and later, upon the night of May 2nd." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sooner or later she must fall a victim. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Countess of Morcar's?" might have a private word with us. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder as he folded up the epistle. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a was it brought him the coronet? without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss DISSOLVED. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Yes, he did." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her next day. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or not fit the lock." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort fish-monger and a tide-waiter." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed any." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the salesman. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a it were putty." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his this as likely?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Pray do so." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last outside. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess hands. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to you." to you." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern tear off another piece?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. late!' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable impression behind it as though a window had gently closed problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always with her." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." questionable one." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "What! You do not mean bodies?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'You cannot say what it was?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom was lame." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Quite so. She has her freedom." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." money should be paid at once.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Which dealer's?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "But it has twice been burgled." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" you." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you entirely devoid of interest." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a nice household for a young lady." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just breakfast?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "You have carte blanche." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I cannot tell." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of Mr. Rucastle's." cigar and let me expound." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to surprise her." "Quite so. She has her freedom." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I night.' said he. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Which are?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I am to be neutral?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back crime." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass redistribution. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "But his lameness?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come from the brougham. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unclasping of his long thin hands. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that you can jump it.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "But what will you do?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "One?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said did not hear it also.' "To an end?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing carpenter." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom