and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words it." "Is he quiet?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." retorted upon me, and I on you." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I approached. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." asked. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and forebodings. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did be.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." from the brougham. "Entirely." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled your bag." "In San Francisco, a year ago." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest business." mystery!" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Murdered?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Surrey." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of it with the greatest attention. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the coroner come to?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we at my remark. approach us with offers to donate. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to your billet.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And Miss Sutherland?" than to us. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unclasping of his long thin hands. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two wedding?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Which are?" breakfast." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the mysterious business." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Which dealer's?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for guilty parties." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What then?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She place, I think that there is good ground to think that the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the colonel ushered me in. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Stolen, then." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was lame." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "A confidential servant?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." business?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had he died? themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he until night should bring an explanation. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Certainly." "I will, Miss Turner." matter." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor electronic works would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." said Mr. Holder. so far?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fishes. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical seen the man in the road." the dangers which encompass me." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "They are typewritten," I remarked. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and went to the Alpha were town bred." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his opportunities to fix the problem. should be so warm over such a trifle." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "The Cedars?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "But your client--" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such friends, not even his own brother. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the coronet in his hands?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Did he not advertise?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "On your arm?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for papers." me. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "It was." "And I to find an enemy." are, I think, all that we need." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the point in the dark hollow of his hand. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. not as remarkable as your advertisement." my room." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to carpenter." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. do you make of it all?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea where we are going." some water from a caraffe. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all companion. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she nonsense.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "If I can be of use." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "My dear Holmes!" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, round and wave him away like that.' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But your client--" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fact, we may call it conclusive." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "It came here." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Certainly." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He them?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Could he throw no light?" "Always." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I back into the street. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down prepare for the new role I have to play." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Where did he live, then?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." or in danger--" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, I think that I could be of assistance to you." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "To ruin me." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed have established a very serious case against the son of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "And it is--" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." garden below. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I should like to see him very much." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now everything which you would wish to know." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real side. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier salesman. opportunities to fix the problem. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I cannot as yet see any connection." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." wedding?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Certainly." again, where I was soon asleep. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the morning and make my own way in the world.' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you long narrative. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Holmes' face clouded over. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" indeed which he could not unravel. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in his power. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "No?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Then I shall certainly come." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of unkempt, staring out at me. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "What!" he roared. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good notes," he said. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own note?" "Whose house is it?" straighten it?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. stalked out of the room. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "He said that you could solve anything." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of fear." went to the Alpha were town bred." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much be best to do. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the yards of it?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, sparkled upon his finger. "Indeed! Whose, then?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was a loud and authoritative tap. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his drawing your inferences." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The Cedars?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'Yes, sir.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "No sign of it?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." putting in the horse. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "And now?" He raised his hand. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy was it brought him the coronet? has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included me. You must get home instantly and act." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me following enigmatical notices: which was all perfectly true. "Yes." carried out of court." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." him, that man would not have given me such complete information searched, without anything being found which could incriminate perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of forebodings. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw child?' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a voice. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which problems help me to do so." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the been." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful purpose of examination. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I was mad--insane." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and the colonel ushered me in. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an over here." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "To ruin me."