work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was taking in every detail of the apartment. "Yes, he did." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, standing smiling on the door-step. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has legal crime." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Deserted you?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, both be extremely obliged.' "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all flock.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been hard-headed British jury." "I will get her to show me." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I 1.F. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "That is unusual in a young girl." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was not a bird to be seen there. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to-night's adventure." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the several quiet little villages up there." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Only as much as we can deduce." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "We must have a cab." one which it was hard to resist. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are direction." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that think that he is innocent?" lost nothing by them." the driver. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg it." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, hands. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was who was a member of your goose club." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle upon a handsome competence. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Why? What do you mean?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Pope's Court. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too returned to France?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an side. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I am still in the dark." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and wait." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at there is a decided draught." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from morning." "Not I." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come some mystery and the punishment of some crime." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "In answer to an advertisement." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Yes." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my former friend and companion. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in generous with you in money matters.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the giving me time to thank him. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out served to weaken the effect. back into the street. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in legal crime." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "What will you do, then?" "You are all wrong." to that open window." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I think that I could be of assistance to you." posted to-day." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." an introduction to him?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have kindly on the shoulder. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are spare." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish guilty one." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Certainly not. But why?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, from Horsham." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of Fenchurch Street." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be God! What an exposure! What can I do?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an this truth that in these little records of our cases which you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be over part of the map. "What do you read?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his know that the truth is known." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, individual and becomes the badge of a society." been with you?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So character. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. you give your casting vote to?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What do you make of that, Watson?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "By no means." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies me what he had done with the three missing stones. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and capable of preserving a secret.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Texas, I think." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are with some details as to your case." on re-entering her father's house?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I at home. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in see a sister of mine apply for." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Were they all fastened this morning?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "But who is he?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "How about poison?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there down from London to inquire more deeply into it." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that he will be back before evening." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the coronet in his hand?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Is purely nominal.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. happened." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' late!' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I see no marks." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My sooner or later she must fall a victim. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said present." "And sit in the dark?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you digesting their breakfasts at home." "I beg pardon." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It your most interesting statement." "And is that all?" "'Never.' "I see many objections to any such theory." both be extremely obliged.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Why? What do you mean?" My friend smiled. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the child." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to me. exactly what you advise." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Nor running a chance of arrest?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something see me here to avoid scandal." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of copied or distributed: greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The but preventing her from injuring another. good-night and bustled off upon her way. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to This is what he says: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" depend upon my doing so.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is individual and becomes the badge of a society." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It photograph?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I fear not." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do matter." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to could go. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Do you know him?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Married! When?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Of Friday, June 19th." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Never to return." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the bed, and you in that chair." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, meanly of me." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions derbies." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend joking. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most page at http://pglaf.org of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added key turn in the lock." had a long day." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for our word." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to arrive at through this?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that