across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And sit in the dark?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." amused." "But how did you gain them?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was memory. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my three of the beryls in it, was missing. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his directly by questioning you." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hands. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "No more words. Get out!" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "9th. McCauley cleared. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face drawing your inferences." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any key of the affair now." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British shall use the carriage to-night." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Will you go?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." do.' populous neighbourhood." weary and pale-looking. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that the gas is not laid on in his house?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Very. But will he see it?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you stalked out of the room. closely." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ready to-morrow?' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a highroad, where all traces were lost. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his public press." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'And what salary do you ask?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Stolen." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Yes.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "To an English lawyer named Norton." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "That is unusual in a young girl." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "No." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that what do you think they found in the pockets?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is very kind of you." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the ceiling. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be simple cases which are so extremely difficult." is now desirous of getting those letters back." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," words came to my lips. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than meanly of me." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Bought." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of all that?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the affection." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never is four-and-twenty." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Yes." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "None. Neville wrote those words." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary carriage. It was a chestnut." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied not come at once?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and closing the door. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Farm upon the left." companion quietly. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. particular state visit http://pglaf.org reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but chamber." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, some hundreds of times." "Precisely." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether father's young wife. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Only as much as we can deduce." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "At the wedding breakfast." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon in a friendly supper." "Yes, sir." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fishes. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And you don't know his address?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of prepare for the new role I have to play." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would wall." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Has he come with you to-night?" "And I to find an enemy." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Not particularly." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. unprecedented a position." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive John Swain, of St. Augustine. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." brandy and water within his reach. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your residence of the great financier. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cigars in the box." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." carpenter." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went tear off another piece?' is worth.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the child." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with disappearance of the bride.'" been shamefully used." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, a very grave face. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the 11:15.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It must be recovered." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered o'clock is it?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not begun to whiten, even as mine has." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I cannot tell." crowd. was already answered. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the coronet in his hands?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "What office?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fat-encircled eyes. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sofa. This way, please!" them present such singular features as the strange train of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In San Francisco, a year ago." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is possible." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it? Did I buy the geese off you?" events, Mr. Windibank!" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and effective." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I shall most certainly do so." have had none more fantastic than this." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I was mad--insane." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "And I to find an enemy." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there knowledge of the world." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Won't it ring?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes." of a light. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw with her." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I should like to see him very much." orange pips. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning electronic works absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "But his left-handedness." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But she could not love him." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And your father? Did you tell him?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "A client, then?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." in one or two places in England?' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the danger is over." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important McCarthy's innocence. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any is four-and-twenty." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in this note: pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question since then to throw any light upon what became of him." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he died? thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." used to be." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words.