cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "That was it, sir." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with he died? "When did she vanish, then?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Quite sure, dad.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "It is very clear." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. introspective fashion. him and tried to hold him back. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Of what?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You think so, too?" "Perhaps I have." indeed happy." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I came to find a friend." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "One horse?" interjected Holmes. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was touch that coronet?' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Yes." it." drawing your inferences." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone crackling voice. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: mystery may be cleared along those lines." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing despair." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its infinite languor in his face. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the way in everything. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of once more to my work. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Serpentine Avenue. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Chief Executive and Director receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fled together." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Edgeware Road. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun was a loud and authoritative tap. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, what do you think they found in the pockets?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those had no one to advise her at such a crisis." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew business." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! written. "We were both in the photograph." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Mrs. Toller serenely. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. night.' said he. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Game for a morning drive?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But I am all in the dark." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Have you good authority for what you say?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, pound a week." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you do it in twenty minutes!' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." what do you think they found in the pockets?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of Fenchurch Street." strength in the others." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his trying to your nerves." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, salesman. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself she might be summoned. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'And the work?' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in him!" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most crime." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I my little problems." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "10th. John Swain cleared. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to his chemical studies. strong reason behind." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his conclusions. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to tackle the facts." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." know all about it," he snarled. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you as this. Pray let me have the details." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Munro.' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, brain must have something in it." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. help us in this matter." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes' thin, eager face. galvanised. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I have seen the police." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay matter." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that there has been an enclosure here!" "It was an hour's good drive." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I present." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of mystery may be cleared along those lines." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his remarked. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Yes, sir.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Have you good authority for what you say?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. notes," he said. certainly not very gracious." "Can I be of assistance?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" outside. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Stolen, then." "In heaven's name, what for?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Why that?' I asks. behind me. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was it brought him the coronet? going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That you are never beaten." matters immensely." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "In what way?" asked Holmes. easy-going way." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was good for you to do.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The Coroner: What do you mean? to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his second." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted politicians who had been sent down from the North. conceal it?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper away to you." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and villagers almost as much as their master. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Then the page we have seen--" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he me have 200 pounds?' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn orange pips. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" annoyance, but no jest. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Yes.' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that you give your casting vote to?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the driver. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features begun to whiten, even as mine has." within hail.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the closing the door. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But how did you gain them?" constraint." this as likely?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in read over the extraordinary announcement. Chief Executive and Director "It is true that I have been generally successful." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of crowd. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "But she could not love him." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I should like to see him very much." six. Come in!" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so off." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as disappearance of these gems?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so your equipment. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It is a murder, then?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the would then never go into court at all." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Very murderous indeed." call you and give you the chance." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Very. But will he see it?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste gives a meaning to it." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Bought." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, even so self-evident a thing as that." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me. You must get home instantly and act." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes, certainly." on re-entering her father's house?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "What, then?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Is purely nominal.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by events than those which have happened in my own family." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted married her." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into past. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "What can you not understand?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw quick march!" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. conduct the inquiry." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, shall not find me ungrateful." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was trying to your nerves." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of hour." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face records." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was the fact that his father should, according to his account, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Very much so." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers there was no need for father to know." "I would pay ten." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes." "What are they?" noting anything else of interest. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "In which, sir?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, happened." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the bottom.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Yes, from Horsham." "What, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had I think that I could be of assistance to you." "What are they?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is solved." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the cigars in the box."