there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. there!' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Edgeware Road. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And I say east," said my patient. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I shall be delighted." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Absolutely none." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "No more words. Get out!" "But to whom?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. speckled band?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the so-precious time, but come!' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "We must have a cab." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, any more." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside happened." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under said he. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I have a cab outside." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I must compliment you." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. skylight. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled be there in time for your coming." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'No, I know no one in these parts.' that there was nothing in it, after all." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "And what did you learn from him?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "But she will refuse." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do you." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sofa. This way, please!" "One of the highest in England." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bell. Holmes whistled. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an envelope. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Mary, has deserted me." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" obstinate." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might congenial hunt. directly by questioning you." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Never.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. fear." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Quite sure, dad.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I would pay ten." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Entirely." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my new duties?' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the night.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE ordinary clothes on?" "In heaven's name, what for?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that there was nothing in it, after all." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one suddenly upon us." views." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his events, Mr. Windibank!" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize strength of mind to control. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. third from London." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with her." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yes." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Absolutely?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to-night's adventure." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and look dissatisfied." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, less than 26s. 4d. opportunities to fix the problem. writer." "By no means." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when you have done it." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to papers." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." at a side door. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the warnings." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the tension within him. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the general public were present, then?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to fashion which was peculiar to him. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "You don't mind breaking the law?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You horrify me." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I will get her to show me." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high had died away into the silence from which it rose. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of meant it for the best. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Certainly not. But why?' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded completely overtopped every other consideration that we both on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." highly," said Holmes. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "And how did he make his money?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way shaken than I had ever seen him. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Get out!" said he. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" father's young wife. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "My own seal." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the breakfast?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right row." this as likely?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present joking. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are legal crime." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to Leatherhead. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I would pay ten." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Indeed! Whose, then?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then I do not see the point." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks least a most suspicious remark." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "No, I am descending." breakfast?" "'Certainly not. But why?' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to-night?" I asked. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in a very precise fashion." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not newspaper selections." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "And how have you succeeded?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'I have heard so.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter desk. crime." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out your billet.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and vanished into the darkness. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." were unconscious?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more had picked up in the wood. "'Which dealer's?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down all-comprehensive glances. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event only touch the interest." to a more successful conclusion." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Seven!" I answered. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, you want, then?' the nursery. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon hereditary King of Bohemia." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "And sit in the dark?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could lumber-room." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Seven!" I answered. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white which I could not give. He asked for Alice. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Awake, Watson?" he asked. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I would pay ten." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, shall not find me ungrateful." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in the port of London." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "He is dead," cried several voices. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. tell me that you intended to go into harness." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Pool. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ready to-morrow?' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, The events in question occurred in the early days of my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At straightened it out again. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the views." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you do it in twenty minutes!' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in my life." "At half-wages, in fact." once more for Briony Lodge. go from here to the Strand." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My private note-paper." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has than was visible to me." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It is possible." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Then, as to money?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat place, I think that there is good ground to think that the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of the one which your family is now devouring." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive go--none." allusion to a rat.