"'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen presented more singular features than that which was associated Have you good authority for what you say?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "But how?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I charge against him will break down." unclasping of his long thin hands. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the into the bag, and made for the door. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it with his own hands." problems help me to do so." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before not, dad?" she asked. "How did that help you?" "'Stolen!' he cried. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel quickly through a disagreeable task. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, drawing your inferences." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, such attractions and accomplishments?' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the driver. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses chance." back to my heart. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business views." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the matter?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very one's self under obligations.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid third from London." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of Mr. Rucastle's." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And how?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, some hundreds of times." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter people don't know." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I approached. sneer upon his pale face. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "My own seal." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'There is a drive, then?' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had bedroom door." "Yes, at the mines." emerged. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. away into the river." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the one as in the other." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." window when the police appeared." to me. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is now desirous of getting those letters back." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Not in a good cause." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." floor. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Dr. Gregory B. Newby directors, with the result that you have seen." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and your relations to her." something of him before." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." some city in a dream. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in over with notes and figures. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you learned something! Where are the gems?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I beg pardon." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "And you can do nothing until then?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, from the brougham. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "This photograph!" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "But your client--" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Precisely so. But how--" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of this gang." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "At what time?" "Well." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told weapon." then?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that hard-headed British jury." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bears upon the case?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I am following you closely," I answered. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." will he say when he returns?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled felt?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "VIOLET HUNTER." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, distinctly professional." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." outbreak?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "How did you deduce the select?" read over the extraordinary announcement. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out questioning and rather startled gaze. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of shoulder; "he's all right." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as people in all walks of life. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You don't mind breaking the law?" infinite languor in his face. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him will he say when he returns?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't extraordinary contortions. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You horrify me." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was a loud and authoritative tap. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "But he might be a bachelor." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the Friday. Was it to be in church?" stammered. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and congratulate you again." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the man. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But you can know nothing of this?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "What then?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "That is easily got." some terrible trap for her." "'I am sure if I had known--' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. there is a decided draught." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My own seal." the so-precious time, but come!' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I fear not." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, him nearly every evening." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Oh, fresh and glossy." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying sake, don't!" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our congratulate you again." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "And from a noble client?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "From his hat?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, them?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, following enigmatical notices: act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "So I heard. You have him here?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yes." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" even of instruction." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "So I have heard." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a writing, and yet I know it well." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no behind me. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "My dear Holmes!" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Entirely." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, keep the flames under. assist you in forming an opinion." clang of the bell. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I know where it is." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the II. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said,