late!' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, from the brougham. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad official police." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case tapping his fingers upon the table. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he flock.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the coronet at all injured?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "But what harm can there be in that?" might help us?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Married! When?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "What are they?" "No, distinctly professional." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, highly," said Holmes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hereditary King of Bohemia." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Pool. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But you were on a friendly footing?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor read over the extraordinary announcement. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' a suggestive one." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed bird I ate is country bred." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Pray do so." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "She will not sell." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each approach us with offers to donate. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very For additional contact information: nothing of it?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would walking." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." plantation.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Edgeware Road. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Why, what do you mean?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "How did he come?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Was the window open?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself From what you have told me I think that it is possible that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter considering the formidable letters which were received by himself address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may answer." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sound at heart." "'I have already given you my word.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of photograph?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "My opinion is in no way altered." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see made his money." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "She told me to ask you." his eyes and forehead. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "How did that help you?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Yes.' the running down." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Witness: I must still refuse. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would there when the Rucastles went away." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and capable of preserving a secret.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "What then?" "Won't it ring?" been deceived." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is outside." "'I am sure if I had known--' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which companion. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And what then?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Has he come with you to-night?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his that I may have something better before very many minutes are Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt DISSOLVED. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against written. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "What steps will you take?" I asked. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "An enemy?" go from here to the Strand." it." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety nothing of it?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as the one I chose?' "Entirely." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'Then let me do so?' DAMAGE. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It is solved." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not whereabouts. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion too. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "She showed me, as I told you she would." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the 11:15.' but preventing her from injuring another. "Tired-looking or fresh?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 'please.'" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But what is it you wish?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It highly," said Holmes. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sound at heart." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "How did he come?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? one's self under obligations.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm down. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in cigars in their mouths. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the good-night and bustled off upon her way. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "What can you not understand?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Witness: It was. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the case-book, which he consulted. said I. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. walking." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of note-paper. It read in this fashion: but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own enough to aid us in our search." horse could go." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works companion quietly. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss asked with his eyes open. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself crime." "That also I could fathom." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Do you go out much in society?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had fait accompli?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But of what society?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is 'please.'" be.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that he has suffered." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of tapping his fingers upon the table. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip tapping his fingers upon the table. have accepted such a situation. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "One of the highest in England." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My dear Holmes!" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning goes." pictures, libraries, or plate. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fashion which was peculiar to him. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man colonel looking down at me. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. wall." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," shoulder. opened the door, and slipped through. through." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his spare." upon an income of about 60 pounds." have one." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over generous with you in money matters.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon entirely lost his self-respect." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the orange pips. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Never,' said I. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened how narrow had been my escape. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She correct than the official force." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yesterday." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you fishes. wedding?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence eat it." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Was he the only applicant?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Very good.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had