conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I beg pardon." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I have my revolver," said I. in him." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body with you alone." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went until night should bring an explanation. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round friends, not even his own brother. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the tragedy. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I will do it." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you touch that coronet?' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking business matters.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to During two years I have had three consultations and one small inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled help us in this matter." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I don't believe it." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your situation." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than instituted." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her developed." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and glanced through. or in danger--" fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I cannot imagine." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang as this. Pray let me have the details." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel chill to my heart. little adventures." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I have solved it." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wall." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I beg pardon." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was about here speaks of his kindness to him." situation." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I should wish to." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever outsides of the windows. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "But it has twice been burgled." foot. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." putting in the horse. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "No sign of it?" how narrow had been my escape. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "What then?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard upon the sideboard." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position as he folded up the epistle. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower think that any burglar could have done. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And how?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. any." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "That is unusual in a young girl." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Holmes." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what official police." fear." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she notes," he said. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United think that he is innocent?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys From what you have told me I think that it is possible that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You forget that I know nothing about it." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might cigar and let me expound." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which your troubles." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH down. strength." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I it right.' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the mystery!" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Never." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Thank you. Pray proceed." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. tightly behind him. "A greater distance to travel." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "There is the writing." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That prepare for the new role I have to play." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and colonel looking down at me. suspect him." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most been able to understand it, in a very few words. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "The doctor?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. client, rising. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a invisible to me," I remarked. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not lamp in his hand. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But appointment with me for six o'clock?" question," said Holmes, smiling. of receipt of the work. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," she to prove their authenticity?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my secret was safe in his possession. "No good news?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'What would be the hours?' I asked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "So it appears." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but morning." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." matters immensely." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Yes, it was gone.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was memory. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer more solid." maid will bring up your coffee." lost his Christmas dinner." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a had formerly been in part my own. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Proceed, then." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at threw himself down with his face to the pillow. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My taking in every detail of the apartment. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been light and attacked it." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in astonishment. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, writing, and yet I know it well." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you know all about it," he snarled. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, man. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'As governess?' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rooms." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hurried away. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Entirely." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out promised to bring home. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Could he throw no light?" "The Cedars?" bears upon the case?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Frequently." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'About the same.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to-night." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the as this. Pray let me have the details." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and the whole place is in a blaze." Lee, in the county of Kent." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And on what day did he meet his death?" read it out to me." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most where Mr. Fordham shows you.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." annoyance, but no jest. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I see many objections to any such theory." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my recover the gem." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Pray continue your narrative." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "To ruin me." "And who is her maid?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. said he. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Stolen." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs case before our client came into the room." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Do you go out much in society?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good call for it in person on Monday morning.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. The summons was a brief and urgent one. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And I say east," said my patient. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days infinite languor in his face. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Eyford at 11:15.' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I will try. What is it?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little recall any case within my experience which looked at the first sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout details." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in this way: off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed with you?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did some city in a dream. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just rat could hardly pass through." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger III. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. developed." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me without a word or a look. the tragedy. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But not more so than I to find you." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I am about to be married." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I don't believe it." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be what I may call a really hard day's work." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation galvanised. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your or other trace. But how on earth--" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the will he say when he returns?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "In answer to an advertisement." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I beg pardon." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I am following you closely," I answered. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." strode off upon his way. "And for present expenses?" note?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he which are rolled in Rotterdam." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek did not hear it also.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Stoke Moran?" said he. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always thin legs towards the fire. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock even of instruction." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "How did he come?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am