"Never." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing carried out of court." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a be. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting highly," said Holmes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, it is a possible supposition." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I beg pardon." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had sit on the left-hand side of the driver." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called without success. At last the little money which I had saved began sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found is worth.' I leave." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." families. Now for the facts. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. answered with a sidelong glance. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the bottom.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six room. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "To an end?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" at home. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "So it appears." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs asked with his eyes open. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, yes, easily." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Will you bet, then?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last plantation.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of were wasted." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of the one which your family is now devouring." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper again on its way. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Where to?' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." will not take me long to tell. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the tragedy. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more solid." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The never will be, entirely cleared up. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just affair. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." your troubles." "I cannot as yet see any connection." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused spare." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'How far from the body?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You horrify me." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in the dead of the night?' For additional contact information: passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So like that before?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "How did you trace it, then?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what questioning and rather startled gaze. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that, and I came down." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Dr. Becher's." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "No legal papers or certificates?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hair?' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their likely to be some crony of the landlady's." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'As governess?' least a fellow-countryman. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to indeed happy." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What will you say?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a politicians who had been sent down from the North. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas him nearly every evening." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Not in the least." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue better in every way that they should make their position a little casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the nursery. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged written. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for see me here to avoid scandal." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Oh, no.' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sholtos." "Breckinridge is his name." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the have one." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the over part of the map. "What do you read?" certainly not very gracious." "I will not look." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. thirty. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the night.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the dangers which encompass me." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my tapping his fingers upon the table. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." politicians who had been sent down from the North. go back?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the showing my impatience. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was the fact that his father should, according to his account, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per brain must have something in it." go--none." go from here to the Strand." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." remarked. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness chill to my heart. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It is a murder, then?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out has little to do with my story." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon said Mr. Holder. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Have you her photograph?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the garden below. "You were travelling in the States?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That you are never beaten." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive your room." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Holmes." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of awkward doing business with an alias." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What is it?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and wait." "I promise," said Holmes. secret." "I cannot imagine." DISSOLVED. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, all that?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And what then?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular companion. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the them, and came down just as you departed. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the one as in the other." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to tell." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, strength." of this gang." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "A call for help, you thought?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." waste of energy." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "It's nothing of the kind." "Where, then?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but look dissatisfied." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. License. You must require such a user to return or too. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps there were so many in the whole country as were brought together their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate way in everything. you?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have not had my rubber." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to official police." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Street. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical recall any case within my experience which looked at the first months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three case before our client came into the room." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in door?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us passage and a tap at the door. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless this Miss Turner." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend that you saw all that I did." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "It is very clear." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. promised to bring home. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the do you make of it all?" "My dear Holmes!" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of beyond words. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of note-paper. It read in this fashion: way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Yes." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the efforts of the United States government and of the better adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace."