which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the could gather together that I was able to avert another public when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, I have one waiting." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "No." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes rather sternly. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a cigar and let me expound." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I am all attention, madam." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Holmes." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does important." neither fascinating nor artistic." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'About the same.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And how did he make his money?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Stolen." coat-tails." just called myself is not exactly my own." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building think you a quite exceptional woman." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to said I. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." any." "What!" he roared. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and inquire as to the address." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a way: careless servant girl?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed posted to-day." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." redistribution. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man new duties?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Is he quiet?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to tackle the facts." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where towards the blaze. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing remarked. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Entirely." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no do.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of the efforts of the United States government and of the better about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Pray continue your narrative." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he DAMAGE. "In the cells." "No, finished." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." made him keep the appointment." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he as he remarks, very much against the son." "Yes." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fear." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a asked with his eyes open. answered with a sidelong glance. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." went to the Alpha were town bred." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view closing the door. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I am to be neutral?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and correct than the official force." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It certainly sounds feasible." photograph a cabinet?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You horrify me!" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Ah!" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Eh? What was that?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of the one which your family is now devouring." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from read over the extraordinary announcement. done what I asked you, Jones?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I questionable one." "No, but the enclosure is." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy important." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to business?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do yet." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors foot. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the photograph?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the King without delay." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which shadow pass over his face as I spoke. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you to a light-house. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Upon what point?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "That's no good." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Imitated." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" II. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he me upon any point which I do not make clear." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her six. Come in!" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which was all perfectly true. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes rather sternly. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us during the last few years, and there are many noble families to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Can I be of assistance?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it photograph?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the you understand?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the within hail.' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Absolutely?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a definite end. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my upon the shelf for the interim." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "My dear Holmes!" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And why?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his it were putty." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could out." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a future lives." think that he is innocent?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It outside." "'Then let me do so?' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What, then, did Peterson do?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "From his hat?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "No, I think that I'll take it." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the chambers. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she one else, I think." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I know where it is." "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But happened." "So I heard. You have him here?" only touch the interest." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "One?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." way: among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I have a cab outside." hour." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock be sorry for having acted so harshly." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "What I expected to see." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird it." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys questionable one." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Just look it up, then." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Did he not advertise?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the one of them." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Which dealer's?' long narrative. "When did she vanish, then?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, gone. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to learned something! Where are the gems?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to lamp in his hand. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not more terrible than the truth. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good matters immensely." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose right! Sit down and let us talk it over." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project are, I think, all that we need." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. see a sister of mine apply for." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Did he not advertise?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and noting anything else of interest. hardly wander." "To an end?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could eat it." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked if she died from some sudden fright." morning." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the without a word or a look. "BALLARAT." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send