"I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was not a bird to be seen there. roused himself from his reverie. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every she to prove their authenticity?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was http://www.gutenberg.net "Her father is very rich?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same shag which I had seen upon the previous night. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of morning." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed tell me that you intended to go into harness." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a had a long day." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand newspaper selections." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And how did you find out?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. be best to do. "No bad?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "How often?" II. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his wedding?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was there." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "At what time?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And leave your case unfinished?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the loss of it. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Cross for the Continent." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Not yet." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his as he folded up the epistle. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." to-morrow." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of whereabouts. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but window when the police appeared." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I his huge brown hands. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to British peeress.'" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to-morrow." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, opportunities to fix the problem. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Is purely nominal.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "My own seal." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the his grey eyes. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this ventilator." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I held the little printed slip to the light. of this gang." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil official police." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is breakfast?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of gone. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and a shock of very red hair. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Does that suggest anything?" "'In my own bureau.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes I think that I could be of assistance to you." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Leadenhall Street--and--" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The King of Scandinavia." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my conclusions. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the spare." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet people in all walks of life. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure already referred to. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and young Openshaw's." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was several quiet little villages up there." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "In the cells." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a but preventing her from injuring another. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered results." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Not him." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to think that any burglar could have done. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Why that?' I asks. arrested. You then--" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to-night?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The best possible." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to least a fellow-countryman. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a fuss that is made over them." about. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I me. "'Stolen!' he cried. woman." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands careless servant girl?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same legal crime." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I will, Miss Turner." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'You cannot say what it was?' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this occupations.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'About the same.' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present beg that you will break it off." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked front of the hall door has given its name to the place. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew attention." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "He might." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in go from here to the Strand." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself man. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small It may be so in this case, also." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "What office?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "One of his hands." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I would pay ten." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Yes." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No?" evidence," I remarked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would were unconscious?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project only touch the interest." "She will not sell." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that shaken than I had ever seen him. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." in. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "My dear Holmes!" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the before the coroner and the police-court." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And you thought he was pulled back?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Certainly not.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to me. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But case before our client came into the room." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, I think that I'll take it." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Not social, then?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which is worth.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was a loud and authoritative tap. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "One?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose views." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the nursery. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I am armed." corner of the building. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me III. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "The gentleman I describe." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a presume?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of the efforts of the United States government and of the better are, I think, all that we need." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed bachelor.' entirely devoid of interest." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "But what harm can there be in that?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly pressing in one house as in another. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, companion imperturbably. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that?' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, strength of mind to control. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in comes from the middle window." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and generous with you in money matters.' "'Which dealer's?' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' until night should bring an explanation. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the spark where all is dark to me." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "What have you to say now?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Farm upon the left."