passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Then how many are there?" "How did you trace it, then?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Which dealer's?' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But you have hopes?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come at once, for I have only half an hour." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am following you closely," I answered. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in any." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and on in his house." "They are typewritten," I remarked. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him stalked out of the room. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Was the window open?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business soul! here is her carriage at the door." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is better in every way that they should make their position a little police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "That is it on the dressing-table." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, power." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And I say east," said my patient. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love too. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. conceal it?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Absolutely?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to affect your life." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Dark enough and sinister enough." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss writer." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't this remarkable episode. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Dirty?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less during that time.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for only touch the interest." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned know what is wrong with it.' persecution?" "But what will you do?" down. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his cigars in the box." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, sir." business in the City. She little knew what. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the stable lane now." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. just ask you whether you had heard it.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he were wasted." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of as yours." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger writing, and yet I know it well." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. redistribution. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean details should find their way into the papers. Inspector will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this think that any burglar could have done. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his amused." will be renamed. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of desk. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. back to my heart. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I will, Miss Turner." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we enter into my head. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. ready to-morrow?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you in yours." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge we went to search for him, face downward in a little lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in electronic works thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, remarked. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Not I." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and the whole place is in a blaze." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Proceed, then." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the driver. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but preventing her from injuring another. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Never.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two comes from the middle window." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, bonnet, and went out." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Holmes. read it out to me." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, a good hundred miles off by now." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I am armed." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to through." noting anything else of interest. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "But his lameness?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Where could I find him?' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight she might be summoned. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "A confidential servant?" carriage. It was a chestnut." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the at once, for I have only half an hour." it." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and the church but not where the lady lived." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was prison!" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Sutherland?" "Have you her photograph?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by some place of shelter and let the county police know what has to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of better in every way that they should make their position a little "But I am all in the dark." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. this poor creature." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it look dissatisfied." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at out." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. it means?" eavesdroppers?' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram this remarkable episode. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And is that all?" one's self under obligations.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Where does the thing come from?' grasp, he hurried from the room. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the started for the Temple to see my husband. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life ways of our fellow-men." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them done what I asked you, Jones?" his face. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I assure you that I am in your hands." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Then, how do you know?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." hour." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of went to the Alpha were town bred." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point crime. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and chair. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in his hands." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. woman." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I was certainly surprised to find you there." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and remarked. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I am all attention, madam." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You are hungry," I remarked. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen writers could invent nothing more crude." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, or other trace. But how on earth--" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the views." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "And did you observe any change in her then?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And your father? Did you tell him?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "In answer to an advertisement." your sleep?' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, said I. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Where, then, is my wife?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, certainly do as you advise." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. she might be summoned. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then photograph?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I been deceived." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after touch that coronet?' question," said Holmes, smiling. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune lids now and glanced across at his visitor. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." good for you to do.' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have an American origin." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "How did that help you?" "One of his hands." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT directors have had misgivings upon the subject." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William carriage. It was a chestnut." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which are windows in it, of course?" appeared upon the scene." notes," he said. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to a light-house. away to you." ordinary clothes on?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg