right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "You know me, then?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "In the cells." "My dear Holmes!" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Pray do so." "She showed me, as I told you she would." from the brougham. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad about. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "That is easily got." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the miles off. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the once more to my work. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Perfectly so." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You have a clue?" to take care of herself." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "By all means." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little interests were the same as his." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in head. So long, then!" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was made him keep the appointment." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain to-night's adventure." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a But Holmes shook his head gravely. asked. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the chambers. residence of the great financier. tied." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I shall be delighted." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "But to whom?" hardly wander." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You have carte blanche." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Certainly, madam." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the giving me time to thank him. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, comes from the middle window." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our standing smiling on the door-step. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, hour." better grown goose." Edgeware Road. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But definite end. "You have but to name it." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Oh, yes, easily." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Yes, sir." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Your French gold?" you?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no you." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, his forehead." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Where is it, then?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "One of the highest in England." stalked out of the room. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud vague figure huddled up in the darkness. go--none." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Stoke Moran." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the have I gained?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. outside." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. main points of my analysis." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from it." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hardly wander." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the bed, and you in that chair." "'I have heard so.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her constraint." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Heh?' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden call it cruel." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa his cane at the bell-pull. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Yes, sir.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should again, where I was soon asleep. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say there was no need for father to know." here and I will read it to you: "I answered that I had not. "But of what society?" Gutenberg-tm License. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was eavesdroppers?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters along the entire front of the house, with three long windows pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "BALLARAT." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than But Holmes shook his head gravely. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many a very grave face. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded were wasted." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' minor matters until to-morrow." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Your sister is dead, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands returned to France?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California gone. what I may call a really hard day's work." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal one which it was hard to resist. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Where, then?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a tail." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered your equipment. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Very truly yours, "We have tried and failed." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord standing smiling on the door-step. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Deserted you?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "None." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he held up the lantern and gazed about him. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in his hands." to a light-house. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the matter?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's figure." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more are, and they are waiting for us." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. heavily into it. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Where, indeed?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "He slept on the premises." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a happened." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Street. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to are, I think, all that we need." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "That was it, sir." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be during which he might have communicated with his friend the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." your troubles." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful allusion to a rat. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated sit on the left-hand side of the driver." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his posted to-day." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, there are nearly always some there." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Stolen." said I. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his cane at the bell-pull. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed any little problem which you may submit to me." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "What! a murderous attack?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "He slept on the premises." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." passage and a tap at the door. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to skylight. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to placed his cuttings. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal not within a twentieth part of the market price." friend's singular character. "By all means." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations peculiar to him. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. chambers. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had