"Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Look there!" said he. lumber-room." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I second window is the one that I jumped from." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Why serious?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his DISSOLVED. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can feature." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a meanly of me." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave o'clock is it?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Was the window open?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which interested in these little problems, and since you are good away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is you, my dear young lady?' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated was already answered. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, later, upon the night of May 2nd." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I see many objections to any such theory." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the kind enough to tell me what I should do." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and girl said." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hour?' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. 'please.'" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Witness: Nothing definite. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray seen the man in the road." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Dark enough and sinister enough." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty prepare for the new role I have to play." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do you." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. chambers. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "How did that help you?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three all-comprehensive glances. the date of his supposed suicide." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his be. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do bachelor.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "In which, sir?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but outside. "But how will you look?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and not personally threatened." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Where could I find him?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low if only as a check to my own memory." mystery may be cleared along those lines." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "What is it?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I am armed." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with lamp. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I will not look." "Where to?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the his cane at the bell-pull. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, gone. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose man. joking. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in point in the dark hollow of his hand. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "No, my brougham is waiting." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in this note: Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to official police." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just of a light. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'There is a drive, then?' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You have carte blanche." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the south-west, I see." "So I am. Very much so." to tackle the facts." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "To an end?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Have you it here?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a License. You must require such a user to return or "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "It is very clear." "'Most admirably.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was father's young wife. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I was sure that I might rely on you." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes, the wine-cellar." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'As governess?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." 1.F. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dead, shall be safe with us." easy-going way." "Of what?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the a very grave face. more solid." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, unclasping of his long thin hands. "At what time?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "She showed me, as I told you she would." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' during that time.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "At the wedding breakfast." future lives." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly you came in." bird of prey. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'You cannot say what it was?' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to his chemical studies. posted to-day." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Was he the only applicant?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would if she died from some sudden fright." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average dates and names. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "No legal papers or certificates?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the if only as a check to my own memory." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have an American origin." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Game for a morning drive?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in asked with his eyes open. he bowed and left the room without another word. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "There is the writing." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I head. So long, then!" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is very clear." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first could not account in any way for the presence of the missing been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two developed." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock unprecedented a position." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual His smile broadened. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to a light-house. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fuss that is made over them." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or your Highness to the police-station?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me outside." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of the efforts of the United States government and of the better as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every wedding?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "No, my brougham is waiting." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that?' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open other lovers by making love himself." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to talk it over. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" you." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" detained." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant for the market.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, appeared upon the scene." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the this man was intellectual?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. off." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at arrangements." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all desk. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which our visitor detailed to us. your troubles." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No, but the enclosure is." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings my secret was safe in his possession. my friend's incisive reasoning. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was chill to my heart. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, once more to my work. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter said he at last. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their open." "The landlord of the Alpha." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are answered with a sidelong glance. "Not in a good cause." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my recover the gem." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Married! When?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and capable of preserving a secret.' do.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St.