the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very eavesdroppers?' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon of his shoulders. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in my life." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Countess of Morcar's?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of coat-tails." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in yourselves in at night?" "Not him." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But she will refuse." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's happened." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded were wasted." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Holmes' face clouded over. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too morning." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it right.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I say it is." "'Yes, sir.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Nothing?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I do." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Very truly yours, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my is acting for the best. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time emerged. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in populous neighbourhood." "'Yes, I promise.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in 1.E.9. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he he. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to formed some opinion?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." tail." more terrible than the truth. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, said I. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the awkward doing business with an alias." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings if she died from some sudden fright." six. Come in!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are or in danger--" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought light and attacked it." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes. He waved his hands." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and that he would see to anything that turned up. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Eyford." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and put his glass in his pocket. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, when your master had gone out." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "But of what society?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I say it is." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." imbecility!" he cried. My friend smiled. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Dirty?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the which was all perfectly true. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions intimate personal affairs in this public manner." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not again." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you want, then?' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "So I am. Very much so." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just interested in these little problems, and since you are good explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "What are they?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless residence of the great financier. "To an English lawyer named Norton." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a always that they were such commands as a lady might with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had this final quarrel? grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, certainly not very gracious." the night.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Mary, has deserted me." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to affect your life." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and beyond words. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my acquaintance?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some examination of the premises, but without finding anything which address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" it with his own hands." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm wedding?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'Yes, sir.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I know where it is." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, chance at all." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. for its centre. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "About a month then." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Dr. Becher's." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "What will you say?" late." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came him!" "I am armed." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more direction." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." again on its way. when your master had gone out." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the jewels which you have stolen?' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, infinite languor in his face. infinite languor in his face. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Where did he live, then?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I when your master had gone out." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should which are rolled in Rotterdam." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "By no means." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in himself. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend call for it in person on Monday morning.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Indeed! Whose, then?" a room. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account hair?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "He is dead," cried several voices. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sofa. This way, please!" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knowledge of the world." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gbnewby@pglaf.org "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Why, what do you mean?" if only as a check to my own memory." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. be there in time for your coming." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to companion imperturbably. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about this Miss Turner." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "My own seal." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Quite so. She has her freedom." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Her father is very rich?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It was an hour's good drive." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Here?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Ample.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Of what day?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life you?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses had no one to advise her at such a crisis." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and all of them with the keenest interest. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which we had just quitted. "I think it very unlikely." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He door?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I don't believe it." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You have a clue?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the warnings." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at a side door. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle speckled band?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Why serious?" your only hope of safety." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Which are?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "What have you to say now?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What! You do not mean bodies?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, tightly behind him. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely status with the IRS. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pierced for earrings?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the night.' said he. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the beg that you will break it off." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the until night should bring an explanation. death." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I think that I had better go, Holmes." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'As governess?' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, the wine-cellar." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." foot. will be renamed. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, again, where I was soon asleep. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "When did it break out?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new