will take you up to see the machine.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." papers on the sundial.'" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the whole matter to your consideration." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. anything to do with the matter?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of gone. "Very. But will he see it?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior strength of mind to control. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it green of the new foliage. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I walking." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New excitement. "It certainly sounds feasible." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "9th. McCauley cleared. important." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "But what harm can there be in that?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and address. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." weary and pale-looking. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room a room. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I your equipment. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You'll never persuade me to believe that." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But what is it you wish?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no thin legs towards the fire. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears London for the present?" details." II. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Bought." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of it with the greatest attention. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "In answer to an advertisement." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Holmes' room. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Yes, but only for you and me." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own confronted him. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the heavily into it. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an extraordinary contortions. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project upon an income of about 60 pounds." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "What is it, then--a fire?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "That is possible." "So I heard. You have him here?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "No, I think that I'll take it." "An accident, I presume?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his face. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa compunction about shooting them down." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "You forget that I know nothing about it." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is that he will be back before evening." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy be. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fashion which was peculiar to him. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize through." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there have not had my rubber." Stoke Moran." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other in this note: "Seven!" I answered. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Holmes." "A client, then?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But I am all in the dark." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "None." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done right! Sit down and let us talk it over." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I promise," said Holmes. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it means?" "It is very clear." gbnewby@pglaf.org Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any a monotonous occupation." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you of a light. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the general public were present, then?" "Only as much as we can deduce." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." new acquaintance to Baker Street. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for heavy and sharp instrument." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you off." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or lumber-room." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "What I expected to see." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the photograph?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "One of his hands." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always fear." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Get out!" said he. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Gutenberg-tm License. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw heavy and sharp instrument." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "No more words. Get out!" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed highroad, where all traces were lost. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his I nodded to show that I had heard. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the so-precious time, but come!' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat prove to be little relation between the different incidents of was shining brightly. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I will try. What is it?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Yes, at the mines." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hurried away. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the bottom.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, obstinate." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was feeling which was the fattest.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been room. that threaten you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and laid it on the table. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Where to?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "And how in the world did you find them?" tightly behind him. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Where did you address your letters, then?" himself in a perplexing position. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not your billet.' IS strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Yes." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! what is your own theory as to what took place?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Literary Archive Foundation him." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and know that the truth is known." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "How on earth--" cheerful." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a entirely lost his self-respect." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'Is purely nominal.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his