clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about of the vacancies.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates presume?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that ways of our fellow-men." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. dramatic, in fact." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Munro.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The King stared at him in amazement. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "It is half-past ten now." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you just ask you whether you had heard it.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make guilty one." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. nothing with him." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I cannot tell." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to-night?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." from you?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the iron safe, which he closed upon it. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" there is a decided draught." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in then?" "In answer to an advertisement." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, would then never go into court at all." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "By no means." "Seven!" I answered. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put held up the lantern and gazed about him. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought walking." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "My private note-paper." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had John Swain, of St. Augustine. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." strength." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thought that she would have been so carried away." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I don't say that. Perhaps." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Entirely." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "What! a murderous attack?" "Absolutely none." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his address. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And interests were the same as his." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "No bad?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "How can you tell that?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "How are you getting on?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any seem to you to be relevant or not." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'As governess?' "You don't mind breaking the law?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. business came to an end." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." man. I know him from the photograph." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I was mad--insane." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "What, then, did Peterson do?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. in a very precise fashion." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You know me, then?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly both be extremely obliged.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which there has been an enclosure here!" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know imbecility!" he cried. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I would pay ten." "Was he the only applicant?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through bears upon the case?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. our word." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "There are none." is four-and-twenty." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the morning and make my own way in the world.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest she to prove their authenticity?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "The doctor?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I note?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Where, indeed?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, union?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not absolutely follow my advice in every respect." disturbance in my wife." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "No?" "Did he not advertise?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was not a bird to be seen there. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and your relations to her." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I am still in the dark." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman already been minutely examined." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in looking up at the numbers of the houses." what I may call a really hard day's work." "From his hat?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than absorbing." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I cannot imagine." make me his representative both with the servants and with the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "The Coroner: What do you mean? coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away directors, with the result that you have seen." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Eh? What was that?" had a long day." "It is solved." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to tell." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She which should have the effect of calling the attention of the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his me have 200 pounds?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for meant it for the best. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'How far from the body?' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining results." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Did he not advertise?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "They are typewritten," I remarked. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to quickly through a disagreeable task. your most interesting statement." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "At what time?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and our word." overpowering excitement and concern. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Quite sure, dad.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the running down." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony some terrible trap for her." your own bird, so if you wish--" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Where did you address your letters, then?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held locked." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'About the same.' "'Where could I find him?' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Where, indeed?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less friends, not even his own brother. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. young Openshaw's." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. know all about it," he snarled. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, constraint." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Why, what do you mean?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from you?" "Did you become engaged then?" she might be summoned. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence burst out into a roar of laughter. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the chance at all." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the side-table." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not crowd. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "How did you trace it, then?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, she to prove their authenticity?" "I answered that I had not. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that?' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "There are none." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "To the police?" bachelor.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Dirty?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a window when the police appeared." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ran thus: Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Very good.' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the one which your family is now devouring." been deceived." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in this way: morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a villagers almost as much as their master. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I should like to see him very much." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Here?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern was the fact that his father should, according to his account, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of colonel looking down at me. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you give your casting vote to?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Which are?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped papers on the sundial.'" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any he died? after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to change my dress. that?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this at once, for I have only half an hour." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tightly behind him. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Yes, sir." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at