filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "But I have heard all that you have heard." and that he would see to anything that turned up. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional little trying to do so much typewriting?" status with the IRS. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had this final quarrel? "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Street. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the both be extremely obliged.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came official police." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Your presence might be invaluable." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time business came to an end." "You think that he is dead?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do friend's singular character. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does place no limit on the sum I may draw." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "But you can know nothing of this?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." get her out of the way." "I answered that I had not. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his face which made him a very different person to the round, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "When did it break out?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked business?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have was lame." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Most admirably.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I shall be delighted." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about seem to you to be relevant or not." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice whatever might befall. questioning and rather startled gaze. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am following you closely," I answered. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Where is it, then?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a there has been an enclosure here!" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Yes." to talk it over. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Stolen." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he leave you to your papers for a little." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'Quite sure, dad.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "We must have a cab." this as likely?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable hardly wander." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Then you may be so with me." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other off." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for room. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Not in the least." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Then I am your man." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed distinguish the words: eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Pope's Court. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that your equipment. guilty parties." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Where did he live, then?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Munro.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and again, where I was soon asleep. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "A client, then?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Your sister is dead, then?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "None." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day money should be paid at once.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Very well, sir. And this stone?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I took the paper from him and read as follows: reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Yes, from Horsham." behind me. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Can I be of assistance?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Won't it ring?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all do you make of it all?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among This is what he says: "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a me." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Indeed! Whose, then?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an it with his own hands." "Deserted you?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. returning from some small jollification and was making his way his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "And the cigar-holder?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. infinite languor in his face. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, telegram would bring me down to your help." straighten it?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I nodded again. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'What, the red-headed man?' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I answered that I had not. "ARAT," I read. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to-night?" I asked. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I cannot imagine." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the stable lane now." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "But how did you gain them?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards green of the new foliage. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which I could not give. He asked for Alice. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. vanished into the darkness. "We have tried and failed." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he fasten all the windows?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Where, then?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I fear not." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a furiously. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, vault. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried place, I think that there is good ground to think that the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I am sure." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so if I call to-morrow?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one humiliation." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' village inn over there?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. light and attacked it." me have 200 pounds?' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, she to prove their authenticity?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Foundation set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And up this clue while it is still hot." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I leave." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," depend upon my doing so.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Pope's Court. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which photograph?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "What shall I do?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. how narrow had been my escape. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, yes, easily." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I bird of prey. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. nonsense.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The Cedars?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'How far from the body?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Where to?' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the in his power. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "What! Had he lost his wife?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "In what way?" asked Holmes. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how this unhappy family?" "I say that I have solved it." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I know where it is." "This photograph!" "'Yes, I promise.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down promised to bring home. national property. I was determined that the law should have its middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the