"But what, then, did the gipsies do?" again." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Then I can wait in the next room." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Sutherland?" think that he is innocent?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in his hands." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the I think that I could be of assistance to you." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead for the market.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that said he. security.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the Red-headed League." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and The King stared at him in amazement. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with you?" spare." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our down from London to inquire more deeply into it." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong remarked. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I have my revolver," said I. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Yes?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this purpose of examination. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few him to be an active member of the medical profession." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the date of his supposed suicide." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got from you?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "So I am. Very much so." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that he will be back before evening." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in peculiar to him. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Ah!" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a woman." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Entirely.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project to talk it over. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The vanishing of the lady." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in one or two places in England?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "An enemy?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the key turn in the lock." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance most interesting one." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Ample." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Get out!" said he. conclusions. for securing the situation." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "But not more so than I to find you." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two DISSOLVED. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And you can do nothing until then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "My private note-paper." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning success. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing very peculiar words of the dying woman?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate through." are windows in it, of course?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts not fit the lock." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their letters?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future be best to do. "I don't believe it." gentleman's clothes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive leave you to your papers for a little." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You heard nothing yourself last night?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you became a certainty. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is 11:15.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg them, and came down just as you departed. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "We were both in the photograph." guilty parties." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not leaning back in his chair. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his face. mystery may be cleared along those lines." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And the murderer?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other page at http://pglaf.org "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a unkempt, staring out at me. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He not use it unless it is absolutely needed." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no your most interesting statement." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It must be recovered." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her observed. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be derbies." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches His smile broadened. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the written. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I cannot tell." mysterious business." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I am sure." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was used.' system of imprisonment?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to lost his Christmas dinner." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Certainly,' I answered. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Do you go out much in society?" "It is possible." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I would give my fortune to have them back." will not take me long to tell. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was locked." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. my room." be best to do. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of." "The King of Scandinavia." annoyance, but no jest. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "It is his hat." bears upon the case?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many seem to you to be relevant or not." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." other lovers by making love himself." see a sister of mine apply for." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Holmes rather sternly. late!' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah reach." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And Miss Sutherland?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." than was visible to me." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "My private note-paper." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the one as in the other." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. could go. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fish-monger and a tide-waiter." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any business at Coburg Square is serious." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I answered that I had not. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to tell." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Pray continue your narrative." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only very old mansion. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must exactly what you advise." "Nothing?" forehead. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual breakfast?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Yes.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was companion. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his 1.F. anything to do with the matter?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we strength of mind to control. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad cigars in their mouths. "Has he come with you to-night?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been served to weaken the effect. interest. They are important, you understand, without being had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the envelope. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Won't it ring?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "The best possible." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of main points of my analysis." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "But who is he?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The fact, we may call it conclusive." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some towards the blaze. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. weary and pale-looking. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just will take you up to see the machine.' feature." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, investigation." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed populous neighbourhood." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'It is locked up,' I answered. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great III. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the way of danger. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery searched, without anything being found which could incriminate system of imprisonment?" back to my heart. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "So I have heard." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, prisoner's face. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. shoulder. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." three fields round his house, and there he would take his morning." she to prove their authenticity?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary in a very precise fashion." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was pound a week." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few *** START: FULL LICENSE *** case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we