Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand everything which you would wish to know." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And why in hopes?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked very peculiar words of the dying woman?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "She will not sell." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the nursery. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and forecastle of an emigrant ship. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and interest. They are important, you understand, without being Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a so.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must happened." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of suddenly upon us." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a kind enough to tell me what I should do." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that is worth.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as electronic works are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Were they all fastened this morning?" some city in a dream. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Sutherland?" asked. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. forecastle of an emigrant ship. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Entirely.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "By train from Waterloo." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a started for the Temple to see my husband. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I promised to bring home. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Does that suggest anything?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between village inn over there?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest him, that man would not have given me such complete information and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have presume?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as friend's singular character. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, London for the present?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us started for the Temple to see my husband. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Eyford." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was feeling which was the fattest.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my felt the room to be a little close.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Of what?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Then you may be so with me." occurred." one which it was hard to resist. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Were they all fastened this morning?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Why did you pick him?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and roused himself from his reverie. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an green of the new foliage. whatever might befall. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its conclusions. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a entirely lost his self-respect." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ready to-morrow?' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." closely." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven key turn in the lock." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." good-night and bustled off upon her way. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "A greater distance to travel." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of nonsense.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Murdered?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every friend's singular character. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set ill-usage at the hands of fortune. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to arrive at through this?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, humiliation." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Texas, I think." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And you thought he was pulled back?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Whose house is it?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Your presence might be invaluable." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of Mr. Rucastle's." "'I shall certainly be there.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "We must have a cab." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "A greater distance to travel." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bill, which interests me deeply." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "A greater distance to travel." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" I held the little printed slip to the light. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk becomes even more simple." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, there!' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Where did he live, then?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I have a cab outside." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to tapping his fingers upon the table. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He there in twenty minutes." "What then?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain heavily into it. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but remarked. "You have carte blanche." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they was lame." security.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with is four-and-twenty." "I should wish to." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend about here speaks of his kindness to him." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Come in!" said Holmes. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There think, you have already met." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I have a cab outside." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." young Openshaw's." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Entirely." may have an influence upon European history." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "To an English lawyer named Norton." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I was mad--insane." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Come in!" said he. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up over with notes and figures. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I say that I have solved it." colour had been driven from his face. "Just look it up, then." "The vanishing of the lady." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a results." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those been deceived." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "But his left-handedness." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "That is not always so easy." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what late." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he interest. They are important, you understand, without being equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and your relations to her." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Quite so. She has her freedom." there!' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is," said he presently: Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I said I. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that legal crime." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." seen the man in the road." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still cup of tea. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the roused himself from his reverie. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "That is easily got." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you in your example." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth something of him before." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a rose-bushes. My friend smiled. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "It is a murder, then?" conduct the inquiry." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court way in everything. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the bottom.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name presume?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns even so self-evident a thing as that." "We have tried and failed." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and It may be so in this case, also." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I nodded again. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the matter." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which started for the Temple to see my husband. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Pool. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are giving me time to thank him. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as present." awkward doing business with an alias." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the