"'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then what has happened to him?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off way in everything. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "My dear Holmes!" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head asked with his eyes open. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Holmes' room. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Oh, no.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What then?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of note-paper. It read in this fashion: surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "My opinion is in no way altered." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the do." are, I think, all that we need." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he discontent upon his features. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," presume?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And sit in the dark?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, the cause is excellent!" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Nothing." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of important." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a good hundred miles off by now." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I cannot imagine." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature From what you have told me I think that it is possible that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. populous neighbourhood." good for you to do.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" lamp. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at points in connection with it which never have been, and probably ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet have been better. It is all right." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "None." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Nor running a chance of arrest?" it." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and suddenly upon us." details." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account electronic works undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "So it appears." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, him and tried to hold him back. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of a light. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. strength in the others." chemical work which was so dear to him. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away one of them." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Do you know him?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he with the outside air!" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand conduct the inquiry." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing tell them apart.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance four million human beings all jostling each other within the conduct the inquiry." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Really! You surprise me." "And how did you find out?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to eavesdroppers?' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of your co-operation." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously she to prove their authenticity?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this coroner's jury." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the devil!" affection." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. which was all perfectly true. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a here." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' any little problem which you may submit to me." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I ways including including checks, online payments and credit card arrested. You then--" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no spare." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "To the police?" furiously. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set breakfast." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, third from London." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I cannot as yet see any connection." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." it." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "She will not sell." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white spare." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I assure you that I am in your hands." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, sufficient punishment." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of your young ladies.' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I closing the door. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a even of instruction." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and 11:15.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be The summons was a brief and urgent one. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. suddenly upon us." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wedding?" and glanced through. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper back to my heart. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which crime. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to time." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official you want, then?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a meanly of me." than to us. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." true." everything which you would wish to know." read it out to me." had this final quarrel? her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far shoulder. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "The knees of his trousers." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to but preventing her from injuring another. "What can it mean?" I gasped. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "And now?" I asked. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? foot. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a bled considerably." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" way: his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and inquire as to the address." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I cannot say that I have." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. better grown goose." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of it with the greatest attention. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, only one." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it done what I asked you, Jones?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." think, you have already met." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "That also I could fathom." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, nights." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are persecution?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in breakfast?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Quite so." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the driver. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And is that all?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to talk it over. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But your client--" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that there was nothing in it, after all." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as do.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that I may have something better before very many minutes are have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "What is it, then--a fire?" public press." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." spare." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable really the only notable feature about the thing." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your light and attacked it." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Cross for the Continent." written. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little are, I think, all that we need." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His fat-encircled eyes. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is