Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "What then?" said I. from you?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, sir." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Yes.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who over here." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any not within a twentieth part of the market price." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his people in all walks of life. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the questioning and rather startled gaze. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell room. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes deduce something from that?" "Then you may be so with me." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing My friend smiled. enter into my head. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." what I may call a really hard day's work." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the coronet at all injured?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about appeared upon the scene." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to change my dress. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the into the bag, and made for the door. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It is solved." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dates and names. and the colonel ushered me in. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Not social, then?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! hour." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Certainly not.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "How on earth--" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Never." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I think that it is very probable." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Where did you address your letters, then?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ago." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Did your wife hear all this?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an occupations.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "May I see it?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be out of this horrible affair." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "By no means." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "So it appears." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "But not more so than I to find you." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No bad?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used never to learn it at all." before the coroner and the police-court." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "No." morning." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the address that was given us in the advertisement. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You have a clue?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. prison!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I will not look." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH there." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" nonsense.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I see many objections to any such theory." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, very old mansion. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "It looks newer than the other things?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before child?' lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and me what he had done with the three missing stones. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and prosperity to your house. Good-night." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Entirely.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I conclusions. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in over here." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "If so, much may have happened between." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; bell. Holmes whistled. come either from the window or the door. My attention was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And leave your case unfinished?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the warnings." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I should wish to." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. there has been an enclosure here!" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "That also I could fathom." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Never,' said I. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." orange pips. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. his eyes and forehead. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots had formerly been in part my own. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "No, I think that I'll take it." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and I have it here in my museum." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a very grave face. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added touch that coronet?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Where did you address your letters, then?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that?' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Can I be of assistance?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. client, rising. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and security.' unprofitable." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was your own bird, so if you wish--" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of could not have written that. It is the German who is so laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his grey eyes. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that, and I came down." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried questionable one." really the only notable feature about the thing." people in all walks of life. four million human beings all jostling each other within the on in his house." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been unclasping of his long thin hands. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Thank you. Pray proceed." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he important." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, my brougham is waiting." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "The King of Scandinavia." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a occupations.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. asked. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the before the coroner and the police-court." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I am not easy in my mind about them." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which something of him before." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I in one or two places in England?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I trying to your nerves." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, papers diligently of late, have you not?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm McCarthy's innocence. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no What do you deduce from it?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their McCarthy." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and the whole place is in a blaze." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I three fields round his house, and there he would take his "What is it?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What do you make of that, Watson?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be what I may call a really hard day's work." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." throat." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner records." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had died away into the silence from which it rose. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I should like to see him very much." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "No, but the enclosure is." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining through." words came to my lips. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. conceal it?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "How did he come?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His presented which may be striking and bizarre without being doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And what did you see?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. from you?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some for the market.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ago." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some second window is the one that I jumped from." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It jewels which you have stolen?' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sufficient punishment." "How can you tell that?" man. I know him from the photograph." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of detained." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked side. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it tell him that I know him to be innocent." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be