he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "No." "Absolutely?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I will, Miss Turner." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Your French gold?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition third from London." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I see many objections to any such theory." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if certainly not very gracious." narrative." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the date of his supposed suicide." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other distance from the station, and there we found the young lady had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Then I do not see the point." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss relation between them, and what the object of his repeated likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Dark enough and sinister enough." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to as this. Pray let me have the details." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a companion imperturbably. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I am not easy in my mind about them." window when the police appeared." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I six. Come in!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fatally injured? sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have had none more fantastic than this." visitors." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, guilty one." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "You did not overhear what they said?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was said he at last. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And leave your case unfinished?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And on what day did he meet his death?" and a shock of very red hair. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, only one." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly made him keep the appointment." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the nothing with him." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Watson," he said cordially. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to some other building. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond electronic works and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban obstinate." crackling voice. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was figure." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort crime." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And on what day did he meet his death?" rose-bushes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Mary, has deserted me." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's how narrow had been my escape. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I as this. Pray let me have the details." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "We must have a cab." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open other means.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one few hundred pounds.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what correct than the official force." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Could he throw no light?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the not within a twentieth part of the market price." of this gang." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, some hundreds of times." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called behind me. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some would apply.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would hopeless attempt at recovering them." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining highroad, where all traces were lost. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "No." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil directors, with the result that you have seen." disappearance of these gems?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that about here speaks of his kindness to him." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot room. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she disturbance in my wife." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Certainly." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a during which he might have communicated with his friend the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of for securing the situation." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And your father? Did you tell him?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Has he come with you to-night?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The King of Scandinavia." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources your room." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable than to us. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of would then never go into court at all." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but handed it to him. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I bell. Holmes whistled. nothing with him." you want, then?' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She night.' said he. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" one of them." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of them?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Watson," he said cordially. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously a very grave face. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will simple cases which are so extremely difficult." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again it." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Who was the criminal, then?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began said he. "Where did he live, then?" you." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Where did you address your letters, then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he might have a private word with us. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Perfectly so." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love both be extremely obliged.' money should be paid at once.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The Cedars?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Precisely." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "How on earth--" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And is that all?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "An accident, I presume?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns colour had been driven from his face. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" cause to be." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, get her out of the way." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "None. Neville wrote those words." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I saw her in conversation with her maid." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how clanging. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I leave." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" certainly do as you advise." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Watson," he said cordially. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you in yours." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the were new raised from a basin. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped questioning and rather startled gaze. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And you don't know his address?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of the one which your family is now devouring." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant gives a meaning to it." "But he might be a bachelor." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "What, then, did Peterson do?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel skylight. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at a side door. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father it." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which we had just quitted. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: papers diligently of late, have you not?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the signal between you and your father? of them has the shutters up.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the inner apartment." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Yes, it would be as well." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dramatic, in fact." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "No good news?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You o'clock is it?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'You cannot say what it was?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving back to my heart. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "No bad?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the your only hope of safety." future lives." back to my heart. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish IS possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything so far?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Mary, has deserted me." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Really! You surprise me." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no