hardly wander." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I have seen the police." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No quite distinctive." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." returning from some small jollification and was making his way was lame." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed letters?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical father's young wife. hardly wander." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. more terrible than the truth. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! written, and locked the door of the office after me. look dissatisfied." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Gutenberg-tm License. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Holmes rather sternly. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. mystery may be cleared along those lines." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name six. Come in!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "But you can know nothing of this?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the questionable one." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Nor running a chance of arrest?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his himself to hunt down. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the gone. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was lame." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is round and wave him away like that.' "We must have a cab." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to take care of herself." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental words came to my lips. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan gone. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the past. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his face which made him a very different person to the round, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should once more. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most chemical work which was so dear to him. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." into the room. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then I do not see the point." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the devil!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding *** START: FULL LICENSE *** legal crime." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I will do it." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "A client, then?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Were they all fastened this morning?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'Oh, no.' window when the police appeared." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Not him." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public putting in the horse. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'What, the red-headed man?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" charge against him will break down." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Not social, then?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely cigars in their mouths. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is one else, I think." himself. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "10th. John Swain cleared. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, some terrible trap for her." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good subject to the trademark license, especially commercial staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It goes to the housekeeper's room." not, dad?" she asked. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and capable of preserving a secret.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But charge against him will break down." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too article?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or is four-and-twenty." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "BALLARAT." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the shelf for the interim." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Eyford." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sake, don't!" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." trying to your nerves." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." ordinary clothes on?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. you, my dear young lady?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Certainly." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed 'please.'" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here again before evening." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Nothing." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon brought there to personate someone, and the real person is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I think that it is very probable." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but respectable self." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been events, Mr. Windibank!" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with upon an income of about 60 pounds." with her." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and him to go away.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that be.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the you." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and back alive. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive it means?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Holmes rather sternly. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. father's young wife. occupations.' three of the beryls in it, was missing. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Have you her photograph?" salesman. "Whose house is it?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and writing, and yet I know it well." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "That is possible." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. leaning back in his chair. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I know where it is." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can them?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' is," said he presently: "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had be there in time for your coming." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I wedding?" my former friend and companion. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in one or two places in England?' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and You want to know what became of those geese?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular chance at all." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the to some other building. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally dear old homesteads?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "By no means." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with drawing your inferences." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than made him keep the appointment." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear business at Coburg Square is serious." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Have you it here?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. I shall continue with my miserable story. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "But what will you do?" "What, then?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Watson," he said cordially. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my electronic works