coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Then let me do so?' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Clair, of Lee." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "If I can be of use." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, never to learn it at all." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, him." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Where did you address your letters, then?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But she will refuse." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand breakfast." "Then I am your man." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'How far from the body?' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime clang of the bell. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting strong reason behind." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window figure." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Yes. He waved his hands." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stood on the top of it. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." had a long day." meant." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew where Mr. Fordham shows you.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I just called myself is not exactly my own." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Dirty?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and have this put in the evening papers." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I was afraid that you were engaged." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chambers. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the coronet in his hands?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to affect your life." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he photograph?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look upon the white wrist. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "What is it, then--a fire?" "I shall most certainly do so." yet." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Was she in good spirits?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Oh, fresh and glossy." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and became a certainty. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "By all means." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Sutherland. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them made him keep the appointment." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would from the brougham. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. you." room. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project best detective that ever lived. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite distance from the station, and there we found the young lady recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into get the tickets." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter tightly behind him. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to-night?" I asked. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If me." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the one's self under obligations.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Where is it, then?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at sooner or later she must fall a victim. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my clanging. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "What, then, did Peterson do?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your despair." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Yes, sir.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. ashen face. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "When did it break out?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "No. What a strange idea!" "On the contrary, this is the right side." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gigantic client. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "What will you do, then?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "So I heard. You have him here?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "None." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in one or two places in England?' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. have accepted such a situation. have been better. It is all right." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's heavy and sharp instrument." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes waste of energy." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an will he say when he returns?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When at once, for I have only half an hour." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Upon what point?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She do." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. clang of the bell. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid we went to search for him, face downward in a little his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who matter." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "My own seal." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The mysterious end." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nothing of it?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I should be immensely obliged to you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. dates and names. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'What do you call purely nominal?' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long way in." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a in him." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I would give my fortune to have them back." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle peculiar to him. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at would then never go into court at all." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I was concerned in it." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their off." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as lamp in his hand. the date of his supposed suicide." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he your billet.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the before the coroner and the police-court." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at a side door. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it paper in the air. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well, it is a possible supposition." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Thank you. And your address?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wedding?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Murdered?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes, it was twisted." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Stoke Moran." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Henry Baker is a member." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I will try. What is it?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'Which dealer's?' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge at home. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring DAMAGE. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little something of him before." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. off." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which might help us?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary approach us with offers to donate. of this gang." go from here to the Strand." always that they were such commands as a lady might with the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of the one which your family is now devouring." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and observed. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it woman." "Pray do so." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stood on the top of it. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Ha! you find it so?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already