and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for vanished into the darkness. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." lips." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. purpose of examination. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the devil!" nothing of it?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place is," said he presently: or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful before the coroner and the police-court." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, bird I ate is country bred." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is horse could go." flock.' orange pips. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" name is different." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Indeed! Whose, then?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of him. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "He said too much." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of Fenchurch Street." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. deduce something from that?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that?' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a other lovers by making love himself." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate congratulate you again." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Very much so." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them morning." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one stood on the top of it. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their question you as to those details which seem to me to be most relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis forebodings. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from fait accompli?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; look dissatisfied." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, them?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "My dear Holmes!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sneer upon his pale face. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you him!" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I promise," said Holmes. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it cigar and let me expound." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is than to us. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil bachelor.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs desk. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, said he. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Never.' "Did you become engaged then?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Witness: I must still refuse. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria room. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the dates and names. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the asked with his eyes open. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in the hope of finding them." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the kind enough to tell me what I should do." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have you came in." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But to whom?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "That also I could fathom." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view such attractions and accomplishments?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth from you?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." this as likely?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." you." "Absolutely?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "If so, much may have happened between." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Then I do not see the point." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "My own seal." "But of what society?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until words came to my lips. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and I shall be with you presently." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I have my revolver," said I. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your questionable one." "I will not look." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "How did you trace it, then?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way both be extremely obliged.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. me. keep the flames under. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his for securing the situation." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and looked back. in a very precise fashion." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Very much so." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: I held the little printed slip to the light. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Stolen!' he cried. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Certainly." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the loss of it. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Eh? What was that?" power." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear appeared upon the scene." "'You cannot say what it was?' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Certainly." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a you?' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I will try. What is it?" have accepted such a situation. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the recover the gem." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Yes.' unclasping of his long thin hands. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will kindly on the shoulder. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to have had none more fantastic than this." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had writing, and yet I know it well." "So I heard. You have him here?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the morning." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it became a certainty. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then writers could invent nothing more crude." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "To an end?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "In answer to an advertisement." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." better in every way that they should make their position a little similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual business came to an end." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from leave you to your papers for a little." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a said he. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" an introduction to him?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "But it has twice been burgled." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The summons was a brief and urgent one. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them promised to bring home. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "BALLARAT." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "And is that all?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "None. Neville wrote those words." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Then, how do you know?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And what did you see?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold burst into a hearty fit of laughter. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Were they all fastened this morning?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and to change my dress. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind emerged. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over main points of my analysis." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the clang of the bell. "Stolen, then." wedding?" "No, finished." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' remarked. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, I shall continue with my miserable story. flock.' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be this truth that in these little records of our cases which you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I will, Miss Turner." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Of what?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly once more for Briony Lodge. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round place, I think that there is good ground to think that the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "His face fell immediately. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my are, and they are waiting for us." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a empty. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be tension within him. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Nearly eleven." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gigantic client. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "On the contrary, this is the right side." allusion to a rat. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "How are you getting on?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is too. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly