his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. name is different." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." held up the lantern and gazed about him. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to tell." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Not I." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was events than those which have happened in my own family." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "A client, then?" "We have tried and failed." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "How many? I don't know." Serpentine Avenue. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have little adventures." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was It may be so in this case, also." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project stepfather?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some minor matters until to-morrow." companion quietly. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. digesting their breakfasts at home." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, straightened it out again. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'And the work?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or hair?' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had enough to aid us in our search." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Did you become engaged then?" Literary Archive Foundation to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for here." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only depend upon your compliance." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the matter." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the matter?" the general public were present, then?" pound a week." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion British peeress.'" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to official police." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And what then?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I would give my fortune to have them back." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before charge against him will break down." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" him!" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way once more to my work. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely followed. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Very. But will he see it?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "No, distinctly professional." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Holmes, the busybody!" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of own family. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover side. little trying to do so much typewriting?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs During two years I have had three consultations and one small "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "But I have heard all that you have heard." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was already answered. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'What would be the hours?' I asked. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year details." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man indeed which he could not unravel. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain voice, changing her seat as requested. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here matter." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he page at http://pglaf.org believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the inner apartment." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. suddenly upon us." to-night's adventure." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled outside. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed been able to understand it, in a very few words. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with giving me time to thank him. his cane at the bell-pull. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle one else, I think." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One note?" invisible to me," I remarked. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with maiden herself was most instructive." "I am all attention, madam." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I fear not." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the devil!" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. important." "Ah!" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of receipt of the work. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You horrify me." "Yes, sir." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "How often?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and that he would see to anything that turned up. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has to have that photograph." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hardly wander." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into 11:15.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he singular points about the case. What did the police think of the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Then you may entirely rely on me." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is here." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the compunction about shooting them down." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "And did you observe any change in her then?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the best of training." "Yes." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to little trying to do so much typewriting?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no weapon." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does key turn in the lock." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "To ruin me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have an American origin." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single room?" weighed down with some great anxiety. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And your mother is alive?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to new acquaintance to Baker Street. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but happened." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'How far from the body?' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered are, and they are waiting for us." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any cup of tea. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional there when the Rucastles went away." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and awaited us upon the table. highly," said Holmes. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, fear." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You know me, then?" maid will bring up your coffee." For additional contact information: heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was not a bird to be seen there. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "How did he come?" "I cannot think." business came to an end." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I guessed as much." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I shall most certainly do so." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to-night?" I asked. the tragedy. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he ourselves in the office." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any fled together." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. locked. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of campaign. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, quickly through a disagreeable task. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cost them two and thirty pounds." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to individual and becomes the badge of a society." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Which dealer's?' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, advice." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The Coroner: What do you mean? my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." investigation." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." beg that you will break it off." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "BALLARAT." will be renamed. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And what did you see?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as results." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "In San Francisco, a year ago." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a long narrative. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Upon what point?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from she used." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Absolutely none." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, father's young wife. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with absolutely follow my advice in every respect." was a perfect sample of the class. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "But the mystery?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which was all perfectly true. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell out." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I cannot say that I have." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Absolutely none." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any as he remarks, very much against the son." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I nodded again. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in through." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of with you?" "No." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were appointment with me for six o'clock?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "What do you make of that, Watson?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me it." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And the murderer?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade off." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that?' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I