own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I was concerned in it." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at intimate personal affairs in this public manner." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I will do it." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man fishes. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you some water from a caraffe. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something with the outside air!" "You know me, then?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lips." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fashion which was peculiar to him. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain take the flies, but not before." "But she could not love him." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "But his left-handedness." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its is a common subject for conversation. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "How can you tell that?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the weighed down with some great anxiety. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I think it very unlikely." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a done what I asked you, Jones?" forehead. "Yes, all." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'Very good.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any his huge brown hands. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Munro.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "How about poison?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, yards of it?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle at a side door. I. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask kind enough to tell me what I should do." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." had formerly been in part my own. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others done what I asked you, Jones?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. appeal." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And from a noble client?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You saw the ventilator, too?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always get the tickets." "Your sister is dead, then?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to a more successful conclusion." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. papers diligently of late, have you not?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Foundation "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been pictures, libraries, or plate. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. putting in the horse. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of writing, and yet I know it well." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime happened." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Where to?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Stolen, then." "What I expected to see." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in are windows in it, of course?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "And now?" He raised his hand. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other outside." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, from Horsham." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I have seen the police." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there next day. at my remark. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as on in his house." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project his cane at the bell-pull. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I am not easy in my mind about them." one which it was hard to resist. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this nights." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you give your casting vote to?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project gentleman's clothes. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' door?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that call it cruel." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all him to go away.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hurried by. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, overpowering excitement and concern. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. window when the police appeared." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press over here." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of the one which your family is now devouring." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors recall any case within my experience which looked at the first 1.E.9. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I should like to see him very much." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own eat it." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the salesman. families. Now for the facts. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "What, then?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He results." "And why?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "My dear Holmes!" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Where did he live, then?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any fluttered off among the others. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have have one." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" more solid." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Was she in good spirits?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. he bowed and left the room without another word. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be there in time for your coming." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then how many are there?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the salesman. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Edgeware Road. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and looked back. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to father's place of business?" him." any." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my voice, changing her seat as requested. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid charged with?" union?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Ha! you find it so?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I cannot as yet see any connection." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a pressing in one house as in another. tell him that I know him to be innocent." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Ample.' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I himself to hunt down. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the purpose equally well?" that you wished to speak to me?' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "An enemy?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Ah!" "Absolutely none." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." him and tried to hold him back. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. yourselves in at night?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too The events in question occurred in the early days of my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to colour had been driven from his face. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I held the little printed slip to the light. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a suggestive one." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his face which made him a very different person to the round, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a married her." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his becomes even more simple." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It is true that I have been generally successful." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of it." you in your example." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign