"You did not overhear what they said?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. instituted." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may round and wave him away like that.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It is his hat." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I John Swain, of St. Augustine. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." indeed happy." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you came in." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "My Mary? Impossible!" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to several quiet little villages up there." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And it is--" shoulder. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the shaken than I had ever seen him. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with promised to bring home. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I hair?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." bearing upon the case." "Quite so. She has her freedom." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to-night." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he appeal." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, I am descending." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "If so, much may have happened between." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You have compromised yourself seriously." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "In heaven's name, what for?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I me upon any point which I do not make clear." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it again." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face sooner or later she must fall a victim. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and footfalls from the street. "Very truly yours, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the some city in a dream. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a sake, don't!" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present within hail.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It must be recovered." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "But she will refuse." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Farm upon the left." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to results." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out when your master had gone out." them present such singular features as the strange train of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hair?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I came to find a friend." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to arrive at through this?" the King without delay." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by mysterious end." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What are they?" any." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps roused himself from his reverie. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek The telegram which we eventually received came late one night would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I will get her to show me." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Never.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It is possible." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a villagers almost as much as their master. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your foot. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "What! You do not mean bodies?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we certainly do as you advise." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in this way: "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the easy-going way." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And I say east," said my patient. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cigars in their mouths. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes' thin, eager face. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I it were putty." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident relation between them, and what the object of his repeated behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front affection." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds James Windibank. Voilà tout!" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at see a sister of mine apply for." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "How did he come?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds take the flies, but not before." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round gone. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his six. Come in!" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have been better. It is all right." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to me. "No good news?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the tapping his fingers upon the table. at my remark. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Nothing." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, existence." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to may never be exposed to such a temptation." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Very much so." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the running down." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Of what?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I foot. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "How on earth--" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I assure you that I am in your hands." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell tension within him. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you these bleak autumnal evenings." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I say it is." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Texas, I think." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," fluttered off among the others. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they status with the IRS. "And the murderer?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and the colonel ushered me in. at my remark. "No good news?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Can I be of assistance?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after searched, without anything being found which could incriminate there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "By no means." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Will you bet, then?" new duties?' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but him." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed instituted." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the King without delay." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be there in time for your coming." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that looking up at the numbers of the houses." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What can it mean?" I gasped. Serpentine Avenue. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how may have an influence upon European history." later, upon the night of May 2nd." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Why? What do you mean?" lumber-room." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news good for you to do.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes has little to do with my story." this remarkable episode. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could there." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Precisely." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I fear not." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing will take you up to see the machine.' copied or distributed: house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he out of this horrible affair." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them she used." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'I shall certainly be there.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the you give your casting vote to?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had this final quarrel? "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in crowd. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me strode off upon his way. several quiet little villages up there." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I guessed as much." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in this way: "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the delirious. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "You think so, too?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Frequently." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" only touch the interest." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband dates and names. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Will you go?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events letters?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "He is still with you, I presume?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "She showed me, as I told you she would." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my think that he is innocent?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Nothing." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." introspective fashion. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Which are?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Of what day?" pierced for earrings?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down