dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most DAMAGE. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a meant." "By all means." "What will you say?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "But she could not love him." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "How often?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that, and I came down." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, she might be summoned. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to despair." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be house for five minutes.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "But his lameness?" IS it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And now?" I asked. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "But his lameness?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined vault. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a monotonous occupation." in his hands." "You horrify me." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Which are?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Where is it, then?" "But how did you gain them?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I have solved it." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress name is different." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband since then to throw any light upon what became of him." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dear old homesteads?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers man. I know him from the photograph." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Here?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a vault. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "The murder was done with it." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The summons was a brief and urgent one. there in twenty minutes." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sound at heart." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in darkness. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I promise," said Holmes. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes, that is the Crown." man. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "You don't mind breaking the law?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." get her out of the way." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he careless servant girl?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Nothing." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Really! You surprise me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" if she died from some sudden fright." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I your own bird, so if you wish--" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I am not easy in my mind about them." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager annoyance, but no jest. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for becomes even more simple." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what absolutely follow my advice in every respect." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug should be so warm over such a trifle." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That is it on the dressing-table." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I could go. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and bird of prey. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It certainly not very gracious." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together call you and give you the chance." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply wife's character?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. awaited us upon the table. "And you thought he was pulled back?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Which dealer's?' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the it." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in his hands." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the friend's singular character. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, But Holmes shook his head gravely. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "He is still with you, I presume?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Then you may entirely rely on me." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little key of the affair now." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and which our visitor detailed to us. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham definite end. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "No, my brougham is waiting." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I indiscretion." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I she slowly sank and died without having recovered her may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern ventilator." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, matter." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about asked. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Never." get the tickets." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I cannot say that I have." should be taken.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a problems help me to do so." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of key turn in the lock." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fire. You quite follow me?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Entirely." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You know me, then?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your him to be an active member of the medical profession." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is my little problems." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were London for the present?" definite end. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." with you?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford been shamefully used." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Witness: Nothing definite. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Can I be of assistance?" out." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was fire. You quite follow me?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'There is a drive, then?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned learned something! Where are the gems?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just strength in the others." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Munro.' maid will bring up your coffee." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate long narrative. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project read over the extraordinary announcement. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by business matters.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I would give my fortune to have them back." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "This concluded the examination of the witness." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And I say east," said my patient. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Will you go?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary written. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should nonsense.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land unprofitable." "What have you to say now?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and floor. "'Most admirably.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "No, finished." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the running down." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I my special province." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his footfalls from the street. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "So I have heard." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court interests were the same as his." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with sparkled upon his finger. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at