you understand?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a locked. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "How did you deduce the select?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "You have a clue?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Yes, it was gone.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to miss it." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and wait." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been criminal. We have already had experience of such." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which writer." have accepted such a situation. have got?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that views." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Then I can wait in the next room." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your gone. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down this poor creature." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Nothing." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide mysterious business." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless walking." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the never will be, entirely cleared up. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my leave you to your papers for a little." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of the vacancies.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at back into the street. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have than was visible to me." "Very much so." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the child." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the guilty one." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "A greater distance to travel." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. investigation." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and wait." man. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the room?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." it with his own hands." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes past. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a thirty. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his happened." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his wedding?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, bearing upon the case." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in even so self-evident a thing as that." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated introspective fashion. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "He is still with you, I presume?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is very clear." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at be. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess your room." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A said he at last. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is must compliment you." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Lee, in the county of Kent." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "But how will you look?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the stable lane now." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." miles off. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "The King of Scandinavia." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "He is still with you, I presume?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do green of the new foliage. gigantic client. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "How did you trace it, then?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to morning." instincts rose up against that laugh. what I may call a really hard day's work." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I digesting their breakfasts at home." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding showing my impatience. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If long narrative. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of III. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open straighten it?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" obstinate." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for works. See paragraph 1.E below. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'What do you call purely nominal?' to surprise her." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "No good news?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Perhaps we may make them less so." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower desk. in. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the think that he is innocent?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide business came to an end." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and could not have written that. It is the German who is so whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "We must have a cab." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know is four-and-twenty." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to-night's adventure." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The envelope. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I don't believe it." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Have you her photograph?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Upon what point?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and that he would see to anything that turned up. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Where did you address your letters, then?" call it cruel." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely night.' said he. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The best possible." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Where does the thing come from?' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the answer." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fattened it expressly for you.' "What!" he roared. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think had died away into the silence from which it rose. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that you can jump it.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The gentleman I describe." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Seven!" I answered. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that entirely lost his self-respect." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to second." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped until night should bring an explanation. "Pray let us have it, for all that." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it conduct the inquiry." back alive. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank strength." shaken than I had ever seen him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the south-west, I see." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy notes," he said. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those meant it for the best. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which was all perfectly true. upon the sideboard." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the it right.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Did your wife hear all this?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that like gravel from a pit.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I think it very unlikely." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I say that I have solved it." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Get out!" said he. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a over with notes and figures. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from chambers. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or beyond words. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" outsides of the windows. better in every way that they should make their position a little husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, congenial hunt. and the church but not where the lady lived." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "So I am. Very much so." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That eat it." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "No, my brougham is waiting." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I think that I could be of assistance to you." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall know all about it," he snarled. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Ten will be early enough." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" charge against him will break down." events than those which have happened in my own family." answered with a sidelong glance. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." himself to hunt down. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I putting in the horse. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. has little to do with my story." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "By train from Waterloo." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not recover the gem." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire these bleak autumnal evenings." "The doctor?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous it right.' "Did he not advertise?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say held up the lantern and gazed about him. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will bearing upon the case." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to miss it." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. outbreak?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had For additional contact information: observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this legal crime." "How did that help you?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It looks newer than the other things?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That is unusual in a young girl." envelope. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have