is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And how in the world did you find them?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You have the photograph?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." following enigmatical notices: "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." again, where I was soon asleep. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as one of them." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fire. You quite follow me?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to note?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora been shamefully used." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have established a very serious case against the son of the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite threw himself down with his face to the pillow. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Then, as to money?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I companion quietly. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the Friday. Was it to be in church?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not would apply.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three villagers almost as much as their master. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well?" "So I am. Very much so." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that for its centre. "That you are never beaten." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that weapon." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "At the wedding breakfast." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather experiences." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was miles off. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman lost nothing by them." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting must compliment you." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery behind me. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "You horrify me." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? me. You must get home instantly and act." murdered man." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Holmes' room. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the instituted." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has bird I ate is country bred." spare." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I will do it." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the side-table." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" into the bag, and made for the door. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To official police." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with memory. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Then the page we have seen--" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Can I be of assistance?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of weary and pale-looking. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I showing my impatience. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the ceiling. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sparkled upon his finger. your sleep?' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your it." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "And how did you find out?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar more terrible than the truth. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the morning and make my own way in the world.' charged with?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from a room. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wife's character?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I discontent upon his features. "And that is--" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the it were putty." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was shoulder; "he's all right." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "A confidential servant?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes rather sternly. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been point in the dark hollow of his hand. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through do." nothing of it?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over you." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which shall use the carriage to-night." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." as the one I chose?' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "And I say east," said my patient. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of this gang." digesting their breakfasts at home." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I am armed." This is what he says: and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. bedroom door." do.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "The Coroner: What do you mean? foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the bonnet, and went out." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are think, you have already met." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and know all about it," he snarled. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "No, I am descending." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "That is not always so easy." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. goes." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and dear old homesteads?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both tension within him. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good signal between you and your father? steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and fire. You quite follow me?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You have compromised yourself seriously." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "A client, then?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in present." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might know that the truth is known." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I will do it." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger if only as a check to my own memory." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." mystery!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "It is his hat." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "How many? I don't know." to-night's adventure." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined hair?' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "The Cedars?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some rat could hardly pass through." to a more successful conclusion." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something out of this horrible affair." "What I expected to see." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and with you alone." fashion which was peculiar to him. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper was shining brightly. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I am to be neutral?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every maid will bring up your coffee." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good astonishment. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his you." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Never.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is possible." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "And it is--" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon morning." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham happened." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tension within him. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "And the cigar-holder?" all?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. mysterious business." seen the man in the road." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless footfalls from the street. "Where, then?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "There is the writing." cost them two and thirty pounds." "And what did you see?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Can I be of assistance?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with do you make of it all?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "How did that help you?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'In my own bureau.' your Highness to the police-station?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly prison!" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to you." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "So I have heard." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and looked back. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be tension within him. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look of the vacancies.' results." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable room had already been engaged for us. answer." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I approached. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Why did you pick him?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to you." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Farm upon the left." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "You will not go there first?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But you have hopes?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "My private note-paper." strode off upon his way. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, time." matter." see a sister of mine apply for." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I