"I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A beyond words. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It must be recovered." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so outsides of the windows. have I gained?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was overpowering excitement and concern. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'About the same.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, excitement. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in three fields round his house, and there he would take his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "How did you trace it, then?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able to a light-house. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His exactly what you advise." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Eyford at 11:15.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And leave your case unfinished?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort clang of the bell. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From putting in the horse. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hour." "'Ample.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned cigar and let me expound." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had must be when I saw the door open.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. License. You must require such a user to return or days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I will do it." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "If so, much may have happened between." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "And how did you find out?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Holmes. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. deduce something from that?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before status with the IRS. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of the one which your family is now devouring." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Precisely." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip carriage. It was a chestnut." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I have come for advice." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently in him." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tightly behind him. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was a perfect sample of the class. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of the one which your family is now devouring." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the child." fled together." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You were travelling in the States?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Then how many are there?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might question. "'You cannot say what it was?' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of girl said." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fluttered off among the others. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Yes, sir.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt corner of the building. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so crime. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and said he. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of as yours." "How did that help you?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope possible that we could bring him back to her? left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" fear." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Stoke Moran." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "My stepfather's business papers." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think despaired of." for and were ordered to this address. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. status with the IRS. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." thin legs towards the fire. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain spare." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "She walked into the breakfast-room." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been may never be exposed to such a temptation." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to tell." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he on re-entering her father's house?" to a more successful conclusion." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and presented more singular features than that which was associated into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "And how have you succeeded?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I companion. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I into the room. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes, but only for you and me." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the kindly on the shoulder. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The lips." wedding?" some city in a dream. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret footfalls from the street. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a very morning of my second wedding." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was you?' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive see me here to avoid scandal." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream be best to do. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "My dear Holmes!" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to-night?" I asked. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly your equipment. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ago." "But his left-handedness." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'I have heard so.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. absorbing." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And when will you call?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The knees of his trousers." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "What shall I do?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man lectures into a series of tales." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted where we are going." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. of the way of danger. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other charged with?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to out." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and asked. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." emerged. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was excitement. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of instincts rose up against that laugh. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "On Monday." "To ruin me." "I have a cab outside." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that he will be back before evening." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Yes, it was gone.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third disappearance of the bride.'" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. door?" "Stolen, then." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the warnings." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What have you done?" asked Holmes. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It is true that I have been generally successful." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was comes from the middle window." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And did you observe any change in her then?" will not take me long to tell. Watson," he said cordially. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the something of him before." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And I say east," said my patient. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a rose-bushes.