him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to-morrow." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You heard nothing yourself last night?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now public press." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." believe that I should never have any practice at all. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A where she found matters as described by the last witness. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "No sign of it?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had manager. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "What! You do not mean bodies?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "To an English lawyer named Norton." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I am still in the dark." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic colonel looking down at me. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Will you bet, then?" at once, for I have only half an hour." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw formed some opinion?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Serpentine Avenue. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing charged with?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "And help." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some papers." "Precisely." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to purpose of examination. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the persecution?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Do you know him?" had this final quarrel? When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "About a month then." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and green of the new foliage. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'No, I know no one in these parts.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, breakfast?" "But the mystery?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close vault. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" fasten all the windows?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But you have hopes?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But he might be a bachelor." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I nodded again. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing locked." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Then, how do you know?" forebodings. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our rose-bushes. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'There is a drive, then?' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of receipt of the work. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes, it was twisted." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." carried out of court." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have meant." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. public press." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first such attractions and accomplishments?' felt the room to be a little close.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or face and glided from the room. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of receipt of the work. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I came to find a friend." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found matter over." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small fled together." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was weary and pale-looking. Does that suggest anything?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are It may be so in this case, also." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying true." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." union?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Her father is very rich?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "No legal papers or certificates?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some affair. stepfather?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Certainly not. But why?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with annoyance, but no jest. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Tell me all about it,' said I. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "In which, sir?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'Oh, no.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "An accident, I presume?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute manager. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the examine." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two this Miss Turner." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had appeal." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him into the room. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey page at http://pglaf.org "Witness: It was. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's orange pips. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no narrative." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and villagers almost as much as their master. ceremony." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Street. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Watson," he said cordially. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found man. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the one as in the other." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a quite distinctive." "Then he might have called to you?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Why, it's a dummy," said he. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It certainly sounds feasible." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Yes." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of again, where I was soon asleep. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the back into the street. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have indeed happy." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are problems help me to do so." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case been deceived." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "But what harm can there be in that?" my special province." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'Oh, no.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his fortune, and I went back to pa. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue furiously. Cross for the Continent." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk remarked. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to-night?' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his fortune, and I went back to pa. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the carriage. It was a chestnut." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, carried out of court." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have one." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely back alive. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my character. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of or other trace. But how on earth--" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of it with the greatest attention. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her opportunities to fix the problem. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And how did he make his money?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been province." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Munro.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Holmes' thin, eager face. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman tied." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "ARAT," I read. his wife has ceased to love him." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly bell. Holmes whistled. 1.F. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." not within a twentieth part of the market price." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "But what harm can there be in that?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Come in!" said he. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has know all about it," he snarled. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "We have tried and failed." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going dead, shall be safe with us." stammered. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly fatally injured? son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that unkempt, staring out at me. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "What steps will you take?" I asked. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "What, then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as served to weaken the effect. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two from you?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the little opening for the ventilator is." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "You are all wrong." to a more successful conclusion." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary look upon these things in a different way." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead nice household for a young lady." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Yes, sir." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, but the enclosure is." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so gone. front of me. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were thin legs towards the fire. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a