"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to talk it over. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which six. Come in!" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'I am sure if I had known--' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the congenial hunt. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a with the outside air!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the in one or two places in England?' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim examine." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It surprised me." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'It is locked up,' I answered. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as you came in." "It is no ordinary one." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'In my own bureau.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I shall be delighted." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other sofa. This way, please!" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it which we had just quitted. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable asked with his eyes open. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And on what day did he meet his death?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to future lives." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love you came in." letters?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box six. Come in!" "I came to find a friend." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Leadenhall Street--and--" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I am in hopes that she does." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Was he the only applicant?" "Where did he live, then?" any little problem which you may submit to me." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Did you become engaged then?" writing, and yet I know it well." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to paper in the air. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or which our visitor detailed to us. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Have you her photograph?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I could go. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "So I heard. You have him here?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he case before our client came into the room." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both way in." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful do.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I guessed as much." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" your co-operation." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The through." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester these bleak autumnal evenings." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and for securing the situation." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that you wished to speak to me?' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a never came back." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are congratulate you again." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your made him keep the appointment." "'Yes, sir.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 1.E.9. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "No." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Ha! you find it so?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Come in!" said he. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But his lameness?" yards of it?' morning." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his something of him before." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America national property. I was determined that the law should have its voice, changing her seat as requested. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "An accident, I presume?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. The summons was a brief and urgent one. you for a few hours?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pressing in one house as in another. for its centre. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord investigation." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" who was a member of your goose club." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "To the police?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into his wife has ceased to love him." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It came here." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And now?" I asked. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fled together." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker over his head with a sweet womanly caress. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of becomes even more simple." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and asked with his eyes open. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I keep the flames under. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking we went to search for him, face downward in a little a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the Assizes." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your opportunities to fix the problem. business?" "You know me, then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see 1.F. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the house with me." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I held the little printed slip to the light. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Ten to two.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in on in his house." indiscretion." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy pictures, libraries, or plate. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But who is he?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's article?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps http://gutenberg.net/license). light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come cigars in the box." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes over his head with a sweet womanly caress. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Where, then, is my wife?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" be.' Does that suggest anything?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid tapping his fingers upon the table. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Sholtos." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who careless servant girl?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Mary, has deserted me." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the power." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Yes." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of for and were ordered to this address. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and the colonel ushered me in. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. said he. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the excitement. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. interest. They are important, you understand, without being Farm upon the left." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You know me, then?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the me have 200 pounds?' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have not had my rubber." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone which I could not give. He asked for Alice. acted in my house last night?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich said he. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Certainly." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of a light. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No, my brougham is waiting." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, it right.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own go--none." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to fact, we may call it conclusive." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No. What a strange idea!" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Yes, but only for you and me." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and brandy and water within his reach. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause stalked out of the room. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be other, as fresh and trim as possible. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with absorbing." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "But of what society?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who skylight. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "How often?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that written. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Of what?" must be when I saw the door open.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet future lives." that threaten you." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature noting anything else of interest. be there in time for your coming." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be about here speaks of his kindness to him." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man,