red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been himself. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Farm upon the left." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Very. But will he see it?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" there." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, woven round him. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes, all." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It is solved." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the bottom.' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "What will you say?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then prisoner's face. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "At the wedding breakfast." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 look dissatisfied." putting in the horse. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Holmes. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an 'I should be able to look after that for you.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the help us in this matter." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper arrangements." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You did not overhear what they said?" are, and they are waiting for us." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat not personally threatened." "It came here." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any long narrative. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'About the same.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands four million human beings all jostling each other within the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I will do it." long narrative. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The Cedars?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "On the contrary, this is the right side." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What then?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stalked out of the room. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Ten to two.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several always that they were such commands as a lady might with way in." "It is his hat." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was jewels which you have stolen?' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and a shock of very red hair. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "If so, much may have happened between." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I was sure that I might rely on you." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Not in a good cause." asked. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders other lovers by making love himself." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sake, don't!" is now desirous of getting those letters back." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, do.' "Never." there when the Rucastles went away." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "He is dead," cried several voices. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is John Swain, of St. Augustine. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which again." vault. gives a meaning to it." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But his lameness?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to out of this horrible affair." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room take the flies, but not before." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No, I had a dozen." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at even so self-evident a thing as that." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just a suggestive one." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you in your example." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own memory. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project thirty. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that everything which you would wish to know." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it means?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, sake, don't!" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the nursery. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Your sister is dead, then?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "What are they?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in get her out of the way." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of McCarthy's innocence. meanly of me." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four waste of energy." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I have my revolver," said I. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "She will not sell." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." power." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the inner apartment." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next yourselves in at night?" delirious. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my call it cruel." carriage. It was a chestnut." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the him nearly every evening." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to with you?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is bed dies. Does not that strike you?" handed it to him. "I don't believe it." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' emerged. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Chief Executive and Director third from London." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Yes, it was gone.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not views." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this poor creature." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the matter." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their do.' "I don't believe it." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "But it has twice been burgled." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a fasten all the windows?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "We were both in the photograph." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the beyond words. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes, at the mines." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Certainly." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business upon the sideboard." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the amused." vanished into the darkness. "You were travelling in the States?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector charge against him will break down." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your page at http://pglaf.org "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "One of the highest in England." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been down in his armchair and closing his eyes. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "None." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return if only as a check to my own memory." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in one or two places in England?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "My own seal." directly by questioning you." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his quick march!" Eyford." "Yes." "Where did you address your letters, then?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the your Highness to the police-station?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose you found me to-night--and running through the front room she wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but made him keep the appointment." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was following enigmatical notices: "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the new duties?' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lamp. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Here?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my made him keep the appointment." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "By no means." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Ample." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen key of the affair now." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Certainly not.' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I yet." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back McCarthy's innocence. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' ran thus: Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet coat-tails." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were