better in every way that they should make their position a little sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the behind me. danger is over." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready guilty one." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat himself to hunt down. "My dear Holmes!" "I say that I have solved it." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "How are you getting on?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Then I do not see the point." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." you?' yourselves in at night?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Do you know him?" "In answer to an advertisement." Surrey." was lame." tension within him. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and capable of preserving a secret.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily is worth.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Entirely." "Not social, then?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was papers." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless asked. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Serpentine Avenue. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "How did you deduce the select?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'What do you call purely nominal?' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that I am arrested." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it my secret was safe in his possession. "I have solved it." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "And how did he make his money?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Certainly." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Very truly yours, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm past. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper confronted him. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up intrusion of other matters." father's place of business?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of your young ladies.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "What is it, then--a fire?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Perhaps I have." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared developed." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Eh? What was that?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have noting anything else of interest. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it you give your casting vote to?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It is possible." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "He might." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. chance." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. unprecedented a position." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with humiliation." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a salesman. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Not in the least." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Your sister is dead, then?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Was he the only applicant?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, business came to an end." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance take the flies, but not before." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "And what did you learn from him?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his in. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "But you were on a friendly footing?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. matter." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Where, indeed?" the date of his supposed suicide." hour." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I cannot tell." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the very morning of the wedding." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and put his glass in his pocket. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more against a man in the prime of life?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes, that is the Crown." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue guilty parties." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him bell. Holmes whistled. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed you." "But the mystery?" unprecedented a position." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." better grown goose." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly with the outside air!" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." said he. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand up this clue while it is still hot." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his tied." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "What!" he roared. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I foot. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What, then, did Peterson do?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of receipt of the work. away to you." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Of Friday, June 19th." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the yet." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, this remarkable episode. such person." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him definite end. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" cigar and let me expound." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "And now?" I asked. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the you?" "My stepfather's business papers." "Nothing?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, house for five minutes.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The present." presented more singular features than that which was associated "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your murdered man." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I nodded again. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against on in his house." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'Ten to two.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the thin legs towards the fire. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the views." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was discontent upon his features. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of that Holmes rather sternly. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have it." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Precisely so. But how--" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Has he come with you to-night?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "At the wedding breakfast." "Yes." "On your arm?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is lectures into a series of tales." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently populous neighbourhood." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "How often?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Yes." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Edgeware Road. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have accepted such a situation. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs to his chemical studies. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "What I expected to see." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to-night?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I will try. What is it?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about McCarthy's innocence. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "10th. John Swain cleared. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these this as likely?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De over part of the map. "What do you read?" Holmes." "She will not sell." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And leave your case unfinished?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until had a long day." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's house for five minutes.' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of was lame." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there mystery." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Have you good authority for what you say?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have one." "Not in a good cause." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Of what day?" detective. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Certainly." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are