"'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Stoke Moran." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue felt?" main points of my analysis." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and inquire as to the address." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her whether it answered to the description of any of their years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" sneer upon his pale face. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, McCarthy." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be pictures, libraries, or plate. certainly do as you advise." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of tapping his fingers upon the table. "And why in hopes?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Why? What do you mean?" "The King of Scandinavia." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the might have a private word with us. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now plantation.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it that he has suffered." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those less than 26s. 4d. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was is worth.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a bled considerably." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on than was visible to me." been shamefully used." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no front of me. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have an American origin." who was a member of your goose club." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough empty. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind had picked up in the wood. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Cross for the Continent." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. o'clock is it?" down. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make with some details as to your case." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Witness: Nothing definite. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with before, for it was considerably after midnight. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "10th. John Swain cleared. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the affair. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the not come at once?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would characteristics, but those are the more obvious." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. face and glided from the room. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of entirely devoid of interest." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, done what I asked you, Jones?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, compunction about shooting them down." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. bled considerably." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing charged with?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not to Leatherhead. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, telegram would bring me down to your help." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official were unconscious?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Certainly." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black where she found matters as described by the last witness. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and put his glass in his pocket. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I cannot tell." at once, for I have only half an hour." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and prosperity to your house. Good-night." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And you thought he was pulled back?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something helping a boy to put up the shutters. papers diligently of late, have you not?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The best possible." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. your own bird, so if you wish--" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive of them has the shutters up.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I shall communicate with you." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Witness: Nothing definite. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head posted to-day." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to legal crime." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My private note-paper." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That is possible." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know that the truth is known." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It is possible." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "How on earth--" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But you can know nothing of this?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined bachelor.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Could he throw no light?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "He slept on the premises." "Yes, I have one waiting." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the coronet in his hands?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture little trying to do so much typewriting?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was lame." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "How did you deduce the select?" next day. "Stolen." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the telegram would bring me down to your help." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ran thus: rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some province." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "One of the highest in England." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to affect your life." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but is a common subject for conversation. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "9th. McCauley cleared. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project system of imprisonment?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far emerged. McCarthy's innocence. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'What, the red-headed man?' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." became a certainty. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, matter over." your Highness to the police-station?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very salesman. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I never have." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do empty. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "No. What a strange idea!" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a from the brougham. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "What is it, then--a fire?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a legal crime." know that the truth is known." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the for its centre. "This concluded the examination of the witness." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little is worth.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted kind enough to tell me what I should do." "What is it?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his one of the states of the Union." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit allusion to a rat. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It was." "May I see it?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the better in every way that they should make their position a little unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Precisely so. But how--" to surprise her." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "She showed me, as I told you she would." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Ten to two.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But of what society?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love taking in every detail of the apartment. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I fear not." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cigars in the box." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Where, then, is my wife?" "And how did he make his money?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "No, finished." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and the church but not where the lady lived." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." four million human beings all jostling each other within the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate whether it answered to the description of any of their machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you During two years I have had three consultations and one small of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If