"'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'I shall certainly be there.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay south, for the country is more deserted there." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I would pay ten." infinite languor in his face. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the coronet in his hands?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Never to return." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'About the same.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "What is it, then--a fire?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' showing my impatience. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And when will you call?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes' room. behind me. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and tail." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the date of his supposed suicide." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Nothing." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so during that time.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' not come at once?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the ceiling. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three within hail.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in room. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Clair, of Lee." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite better grown goose." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "My last client of the sort was a king." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the approach us with offers to donate. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I promise," said Holmes. window when the police appeared." absorbing." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lips." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought official police." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in them, and came down just as you departed. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and effective." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and events, Mr. Windibank!" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fire. You quite follow me?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I am not easy in my mind about them." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Breckinridge is his name." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of campaign. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the Assizes." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said coroner's jury." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I be sorry for having acted so harshly." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nice household for a young lady." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this where Mr. Fordham shows you.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "The gentleman I describe." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my former friend and companion. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester already referred to. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "What can you not understand?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond whereabouts. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons face and glided from the room. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce like that before?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to arrive at through this?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the conduct the inquiry." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much followed. "No, distinctly professional." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his you." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Street. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I am armed." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our opened a pocket-book and took out a note. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their other, as fresh and trim as possible. "You horrify me!" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the extraordinary contortions. seem to you to be relevant or not." with the outside air!" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "We must have a cab." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master my special province." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it giving me time to thank him. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have him nearly every evening." "I would give my fortune to have them back." once more. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fire. You quite follow me?" "It missed him, then?" that I am arrested." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their again." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, is now desirous of getting those letters back." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work His smile broadened. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and no precautions can guard against." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Get out!" said he. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to some other building. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds an introduction to him?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'What are you doing there?' he asked. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, province." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "And I." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few his eyes and forehead. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "No?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. presume?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'How far from the body?' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for some city in a dream. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I took the paper from him and read as follows: coat-tails." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "But his lameness?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Does that suggest anything?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup shaken than I had ever seen him. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Gutenberg-tm License. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "When did she vanish, then?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Sutherland. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do mystery." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I shall be delighted." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Married! When?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and invisible to me," I remarked. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, there was no need for father to know." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally he bowed and left the room without another word. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the been shamefully used." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "What can you not understand?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I think it very unlikely." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should photograph?" thirty. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes' thin, eager face. into the room. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the woman." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Edgeware Road. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to experiences." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There is the writing." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." there." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's humiliation." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would tell him that I know him to be innocent." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been because she had spent so short a time in this country that she so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be as the one I chose?' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry throat." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the running down." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "My dear Holmes!" the dangers which encompass me." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know know what is wrong with it.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all fuss that is made over them." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the security.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may together. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with direction." our word." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I will try. What is it?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And from a noble client?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up I held the little printed slip to the light.