the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that trifles." my room." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wall." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have from you?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Quite so. She has her freedom." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already not interfere, come what may. You understand?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "One of the highest in England." you came in." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "How did he come?" clang of the bell. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of spark where all is dark to me." sooner or later she must fall a victim. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the made him keep the appointment." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And help." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of anything to do with the matter?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." together. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. with the outside air!" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock union?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the night.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and the whole place is in a blaze." sooner or later she must fall a victim. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Yes, they were peculiar boots." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her figure." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. 11:15.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the open." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had a long day." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I have hopes." laugh and put his lips to my ear. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average not fit the lock." writing, and yet I know it well." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Pope's Court, Fleet Street." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And you thought he was pulled back?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "My photograph." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Witness: Nothing definite. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any at home. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon place of silver." "Yes." ran thus: not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told him to be an active member of the medical profession." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Very. But will he see it?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. such person." village inn over there?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." forehead. fishes. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Mary, has deserted me." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their over with notes and figures. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Never,' said I. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" on in his house." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Pool. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of away to you." "A confidential servant?" You want to know what became of those geese?" gone. the coronet at all injured?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, but China?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of this Miss Turner." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' which was all perfectly true. "We were both in the photograph." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last You can understand that this register and diary may implicate has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And how did you verify them?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to photograph a cabinet?" in one or two places in England?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You are certainly joking, Holmes." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Have you her photograph?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you give your casting vote to?" business came to an end." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and so.' "Then I am your man." "Deserted you?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out excitement. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of a light. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt sparkled upon his finger. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Pray continue your narrative." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Serpentine Avenue. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he introspective fashion. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And did you observe any change in her then?" "So I have heard." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Breckinridge is his name." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Perhaps we may make them less so." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. foresight and the moral retrogression?" allusion to a rat. our word." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the room while you explain this matter?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. my special province." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two compunction about shooting them down." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. there was no need for father to know." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he from you?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I assure you that I am in your hands." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event not personally threatened." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You have but to name it." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of as he folded up the epistle. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I everything which you would wish to know." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I shall be delighted." my room." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That's no good." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He enter into my head. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that where we are going." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "There are none." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or strength in the others." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You have a clue?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "A client, then?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his second window is the one that I jumped from." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. is acting for the best. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a electronic works a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'A dozen yards or so.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "To an end?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand leave you to your papers for a little." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see in his hands." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Then I am your man." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him crackling voice. conclusions. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'I have already given you my word.' "'And what salary do you ask?' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sake, don't!" "'Certainly not.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have accepted such a situation. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Where to?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would answer." the side-table." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Which dealer's?' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for humiliation." my room." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and there has been an enclosure here!" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes tied." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked has little to do with my story." breakfast." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their girl said." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I shall continue with my miserable story. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. someone who had been in Australia." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we From what you have told me I think that it is possible that shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in woman." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'Quite sure, dad.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "And Miss Sutherland?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with