families. Now for the facts. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite when your master had gone out." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in absorbing." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was anything to do with the matter?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Witness: It was. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Then I am your man." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the little opening for the ventilator is." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "On your arm?" few hundred pounds.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which a little more before I quite committed myself. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is bare slabs of marble. "Where did he live, then?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day present." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would foot. congratulate you again." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for indeed happy." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Young McCarthy must be got off, however." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had prisoner's face. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have accepted such a situation. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that you wished to speak to me?' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any there in twenty minutes." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Was there a secret marriage?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the ceiling. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "A call for help, you thought?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Bought." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Yes, sir.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of heavy and sharp instrument." one of them." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and results." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Why did you beat the pavement?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, awaited us upon the table. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. you came in." "Quite so." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before evidence," I remarked. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it fat-encircled eyes. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But we can't all be." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And how did you verify them?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Very much so." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran indeed happy." "He slept on the premises." minor matters until to-morrow." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather copied or distributed: informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too absolutely follow my advice in every respect." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "And why?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "9th. McCauley cleared. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Where, then?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and have this put in the evening papers." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then he might have called to you?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening was already answered. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in his power. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have not had my rubber." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes." main points of my analysis." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, gigantic client. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." voice, changing her seat as requested. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, forbidden door. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Holmes' thin, eager face. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you chill to my heart. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "If so, much may have happened between." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I have my revolver," said I. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most again on its way. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I will do it." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It is true that I have been generally successful." matter." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The knees of his trousers." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon how narrow had been my escape. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort room. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was a lad." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and which are rolled in Rotterdam." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "From his hat?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Why did you pick him?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her because she had spent so short a time in this country that she grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect once more to my work. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You will not go there first?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your affection." was feeling which was the fattest.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "No, my brougham is waiting." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "In San Francisco, a year ago." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains it means?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would window when the police appeared." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "None." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in as he folded up the epistle. 'please.'" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient made him keep the appointment." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a showing my impatience. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fasten all the windows?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I morning." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have that I can to serve you." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men you?' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Murdered?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to a more successful conclusion." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet think that he is innocent?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel your only hope of safety." "No. What a strange idea!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "He slept on the premises." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the south-west, I see." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his cane at the bell-pull. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I flock.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate name is different." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I him nearly every evening." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I say it is." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But fat-encircled eyes. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. hard-headed British jury." Pool. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still have established a very serious case against the son of the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or astonishment. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "None. Neville wrote those words." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: means taking possession of that which another person has a prior until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "But how?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. down. appointment with me for six o'clock?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You will not go there first?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us key of the affair now." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been invisible to me," I remarked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I never have." "Well, some hundreds of times." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "So it appears." him!" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their sufficient punishment." "Of what?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." like that before?" that there was nothing in it, after all." even of instruction." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Yes, sir.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir shoulder. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the straightened it out again. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Sholtos." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our place no limit on the sum I may draw." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to me. hereditary King of Bohemia." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts one which it was hard to resist. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Ample." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. me. You must get home instantly and act." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like she to prove their authenticity?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think