"'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was is now desirous of getting those letters back." meant it for the best. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Will you bet, then?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. next day. Holmes' thin, eager face. "I will try. What is it?" Where does the thing come from?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Not in the least." strength." John Swain, of St. Augustine. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of Fenchurch Street." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "What can you not understand?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I infinite languor in his face. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You know me, then?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his huge brown hands. be best to do. bears upon the case?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never bore every mark of being an average commonplace British with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very daring than any effort of the imagination." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is been." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have an American origin." "That is easily got." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the dangers which encompass me." It may be so in this case, also." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "By train from Waterloo." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, unprecedented a position." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was thought that she would have been so carried away." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "My opinion is in no way altered." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You did not overhear what they said?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You have it, sir, just as it happened." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I will not look." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, criminal. We have already had experience of such." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "That is it on the dressing-table." "And how in the world did you find them?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Certainly." public press." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and laid it on the table. already been minutely examined." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Certainly not. But why?' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while any more." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Pray let us have it, for all that." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in one or two places in England?' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the are windows in it, of course?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and help us in this matter." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "How did that help you?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in DAMAGE. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I see no marks." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. man. My friend smiled. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and a shock of very red hair. is acting for the best. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." felt the room to be a little close.' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "A call for help, you thought?" "Precisely so. But how--" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** awkward doing business with an alias." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever me, and I could not think that his explanation of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me said I. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Ha! you find it so?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And on what day did he meet his death?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Is 4 pounds a week.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those himself in a perplexing position. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the roots. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Yes, at the mines." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon a handsome competence. "You have compromised yourself seriously." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call enter into my head. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and glanced through. "I don't believe it." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I am still in the dark." towards the blaze. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles guilty parties." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the name is different." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "None." "Game for a morning drive?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer about. been deceived." his forehead." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." be best to do. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "ARAT," I read. "Breckinridge is his name." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted whatever might befall. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Then the page we have seen--" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Certainly, madam." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "9th. McCauley cleared. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Nothing." of his shoulders. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." habit of advancing money.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I village inn over there?" minor matters until to-morrow." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I have I gained?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "He said that you could solve anything." Eyford." said he. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the writers could invent nothing more crude." "He disappeared so suddenly." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close or in danger--" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" name is different." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It surprised me." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand views." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, carried out of court." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions there was no need for father to know." "My dear Holmes!" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fasten all the windows?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "What will you do, then?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a thin legs towards the fire. derbies." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' London for the present?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Heh?' to arrive at through this?" "'Never.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, any little problem which you may submit to me." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Entirely." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish tail." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave out of this horrible affair." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not four million human beings all jostling each other within the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the devil!" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email official police." "What can it mean?" I gasped. that you saw all that I did." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, joking. results." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "In answer to an advertisement." conduct the inquiry." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you arrangements." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But his lameness?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "That's no good." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in side. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in grasp, he hurried from the room. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "No." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, trying to your nerves." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I cannot as yet see any connection." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from bird of prey. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." His name is Francis Prosper." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I ceremony." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No, distinctly professional." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Count Von Kramm." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards furiously. Holmes. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the go back?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I