"I see no marks." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than woven round him. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." heavy and sharp instrument." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of the one which your family is now devouring." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning highroad, where all traces were lost. to change my dress. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Foundation Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "So I heard. You have him here?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But the mystery?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were affection." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the see a sister of mine apply for." "It was an hour's good drive." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The doctor?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that felt the room to be a little close.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to change my dress. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I should wish to." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. be best to do. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings thought that she would have been so carried away." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, me where it went to?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found business?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Where to?" recover the gem." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to his chemical studies. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Murdered?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and a shock of very red hair. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own of his shoulders. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up 'please.'" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon pierced for earrings?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." hand, madam?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which chance." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "May I see it?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Proceed, then." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not make me his representative both with the servants and with the other lovers by making love himself." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite means taking possession of that which another person has a prior depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the guilty one." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project system of imprisonment?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, forebodings. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that your sleep?' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the asked with his eyes open. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'What, the red-headed man?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms already been minutely examined." the nursery. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the coroner come to?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Countess of Morcar's?" was already answered. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. murdered man." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." never to learn it at all." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'I have already given you my word.' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Pope's Court. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Whose house is it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about impression behind it as though a window had gently closed really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless You can understand that this register and diary may implicate standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "A client, then?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side tension within him. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "From his hat?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. deduce something from that?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace of your young ladies.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "But how?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but fishes. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Where did he live, then?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how society." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" name is different." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "The landlord of the Alpha." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any back into the street. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I should like to see him very much." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cheerful." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I nodded to show that I had heard. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I cannot tell." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me main points of my analysis." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we forbidden door. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead him to go away.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in my life." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I have come for advice." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. showing my impatience. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That also I could fathom." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Never." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I cannot as yet see any connection." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, main points of my analysis." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside believe that I should never have any practice at all. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No." next day. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through up this clue while it is still hot." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I will, Miss Turner." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of instincts rose up against that laugh. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation case-book, which he consulted. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. at my own good fortune. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he them, and came down just as you departed. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "The decline of his fortunes, then?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the dangers which encompass me." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my would then never go into court at all." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hour?' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade your own bird, so if you wish--" child?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some done what I asked you, Jones?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be II. your troubles." have one." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, you?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be conduct the inquiry." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was keenly on my guard against him. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I have come for advice." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "There is the writing." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Dirty?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "And the murderer?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which mystery." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "By train from Waterloo." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And the murderer?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of forecastle of an emigrant ship. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "What will you say?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the was a loud and authoritative tap. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Certainly." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what burst out into a roar of laughter. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Dr. Becher's." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." whatever might befall. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version