the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found think, you have already met." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And is that all?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And you don't know his address?" to affect your life." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Never." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from intimate personal affairs in this public manner." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight is now desirous of getting those letters back." answered with a sidelong glance. at a side door. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for power." "It certainly sounds feasible." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "My dear Holmes!" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I cannot tell." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Young McCarthy must be got off, however." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, said I. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But what is it you wish?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." events than those which have happened in my own family." do you make of it all?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in I nodded to show that I had heard. "You were travelling in the States?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and telegram would bring me down to your help." crime." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "He might." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It is true that I have been generally successful." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it meant it for the best. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself standing smiling on the door-step. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just head. So long, then!" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and chance." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I am still in the dark." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I know where it is." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "That is possible." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was shining brightly. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Could he throw no light?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fuss that is made over them." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt disturbance in my wife." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every hurried by. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Yes, he did." with you?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City next day. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." rose-bushes. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cup of tea. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hereditary King of Bohemia." "And how did he make his money?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'What do you call purely nominal?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, papers." "Yes." security.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "My Mary? Impossible!" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I will do it." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I am still in the dark." nothing of it?" "What!" he roared. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head because she had spent so short a time in this country that she during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the cause to be." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Thank you. And your address?" remarked. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Absolutely?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, come either from the window or the door. My attention was head. So long, then!" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, back into the street. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an she to prove their authenticity?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" newspaper selections." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'What would be the hours?' I asked. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook you for a few hours?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hopeless attempt at recovering them." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate present." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this Miss Turner." acted in my house last night?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. unprecedented a position." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Of what?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." crowd. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "But how?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and horse could go." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be have established a very serious case against the son of the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some cigars in the box." of the vacancies.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Certainly." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face chance at all." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "How did that help you?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of recover the gem." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "How did that help you?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another them, and came down just as you departed. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others ventilator." "Here?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes call you and give you the chance." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, society." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Absolutely?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to brain must have something in it." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg weapon." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "What will you say?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. newspaper selections." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or desk. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. nonsense.' and the church but not where the lady lived." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the present." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "But his left-handedness." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Leave Paddington by the 11:15." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of there was no need for father to know." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was not a bird to be seen there. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely been able to understand it, in a very few words. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Stolen." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Come in!" said Holmes. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to gone before you can get him to hospital." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand business at Coburg Square is serious." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre locked." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Well, some hundreds of times." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Entirely.' "'Yes, I promise.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" writer." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Certainly." prison!" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And Miss Sutherland?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Did you observe the colour?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the politicians who had been sent down from the North. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and strode off upon his way. again on its way. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted locked. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid vanished into the darkness. said I. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' presented more singular features than that which was associated "Of what day?" "Certainly." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Not I."