the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive with her." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as he remarks, very much against the son." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. lost his Christmas dinner." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was it brought him the coronet? not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to a monotonous occupation." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "That is unusual in a young girl." again before evening." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to legal crime." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, off." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be subject to the trademark license, especially commercial which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save out of this horrible affair." strong and stiff." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "On the contrary, this is the right side." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not fit the lock." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his you." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I her also." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. said I. questionable one." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there is a decided draught." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No, distinctly professional." at once, for I have only half an hour." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Her father is very rich?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Very well, sir. And this stone?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." in. than was visible to me." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of his shoulders. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have think, you have already met." people don't know." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our assist you in forming an opinion." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep things are very often connected not with the larger but with the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "So I have heard." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Yes.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "My last client of the sort was a king." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this remarked. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in http://gutenberg.net/license). eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and no precautions can guard against." "Certainly." "Whose house is it?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I say it is." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations you want, then?' sofa. This way, please!" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated morning." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Leadenhall Street--and--" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Did your wife hear all this?" page at http://pglaf.org and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. room?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It's nothing of the kind." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and upon the sideboard." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "You horrify me!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she might have a private word with us. "Was there a secret marriage?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you residence of the great financier. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, future lives." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, him. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Always." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the so-precious time, but come!' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this was the fact that his father should, according to his account, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'And the work?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of gigantic client. "Then you may be so with me." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will for the market.' go back?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study lids now and glanced across at his visitor. secret." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'Then let me do so?' be.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that carried out of court." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. companion imperturbably. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Literary Archive Foundation Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the from you?" without a word or a look. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "But she will refuse." chill to my heart. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial several quiet little villages up there." "I have hopes." with you?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do when your master had gone out." himself. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Precisely so. But how--" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Won't it ring?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "A client, then?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "But I have heard all that you have heard." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any which our visitor detailed to us. hour?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I cannot say that I have." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. through." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do companion quietly. you in your example." had picked up in the wood. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It was an hour's good drive." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Pray continue your narrative." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'No, I know no one in these parts.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy a room. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An this unhappy family?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between seven miles from Eyford Station.' For additional contact information: endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion burst into a hearty fit of laughter. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever criminal. We have already had experience of such." him to go away.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural already been minutely examined." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Murdered?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the brain must have something in it." "Was your sister dressed?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting as he remarks, very much against the son." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Yes.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the room while you explain this matter?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The do." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, already referred to. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, quite distinctive." business." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if even of instruction." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at pierced for earrings?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "That is unusual in a young girl." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and ago." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing death." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the room while you explain this matter?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook himself. "What will you say?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no will take you up to see the machine.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length considering the formidable letters which were received by himself such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 1.F. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And how did you verify them?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' respectable self." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "What, then?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of or other trace. But how on earth--" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You horrify me!" Holmes' face clouded over. his forehead." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a cheerful." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little