footfalls from the street. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to where he stood hid behind the curtain. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your place, I think that there is good ground to think that the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would at my own good fortune. "Really! You surprise me." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "That is not always so easy." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And it is--" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that I am arrested." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a business?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Never." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "How are you getting on?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Yes, sir.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was used.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it himself in a perplexing position. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain sparkled upon his finger. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'There is a drive, then?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But of what society?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that I am arrested." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, or in danger--" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, me upon any point which I do not make clear." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of comes from the middle window." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The doctor?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No call for protection in the marriage market, for the present fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady a monotonous occupation." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I cannot tell." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fire. You quite follow me?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or man. I know him from the photograph." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes." "And what did you learn from him?" you?' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. cheerful." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained could not have written that. It is the German who is so case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg head. So long, then!" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two child?' side. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in a friendly supper." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of remarked. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I who was a member of your goose club." "Yes, it was twisted." has little to do with my story." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her do.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the already been minutely examined." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Serpentine Avenue. I am not easy in my mind about them." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "How did he come?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully your most interesting statement." the address that was given us in the advertisement. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. over here." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. head. So long, then!" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to States. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "It is true that I have been generally successful." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I know where it is." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may gone. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Perhaps we may make them less so." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was empty. then?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, outsides of the windows. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out must be when I saw the door open.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I cannot say that I have." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, at a side door. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Yes, the wine-cellar." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It was." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for three fields round his house, and there he would take his that he will be back before evening." six. Come in!" and I shall be with you presently." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Precisely." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he bowed and left the room without another word. second window is the one that I jumped from." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her British peeress.'" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, giving me time to thank him. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into had a long day." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and individual and becomes the badge of a society." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all spark where all is dark to me." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I am to be neutral?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, people in all walks of life. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Farm upon the left." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and I shall be with you presently." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." again before evening." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered instincts rose up against that laugh. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "At half-wages, in fact." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "She told me to ask you." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Pray let us have it, for all that." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "My dear Holmes!" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" writer." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the better in every way that they should make their position a little "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the letters?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic house for five minutes.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No. What a strange idea!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements get her out of the way." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to talk it over. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Imitated." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "No, finished." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the matter." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Henry Baker is a member." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of house for five minutes.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Countess of Morcar's?" straighten it?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was congenial hunt. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in upon the shelf for the interim." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have mysterious end." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Has he come with you to-night?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And how did you find out?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of Fenchurch Street." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Sholtos." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "We must have a cab." and inquire as to the address." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear delighted to hear it," he said. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'I have already given you my word.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "May I see it?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Edgeware Road. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the stable lane now." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which ordinary clothes on?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "If I can be of use." http://www.gutenberg.net upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I came to find a friend." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Doctor, of the paper and the date." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I know where it is." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "You have the photograph?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same nights." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her most interesting one." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little started for the Temple to see my husband. hands. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But the mystery?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the ceiling. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the so-precious time, but come!' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their has little to do with my story." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of the way of danger. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "My dear Holmes!" "Where, then, is my wife?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, amused." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Certainly not. But why?' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Thank you. Pray proceed." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the inner apartment." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Will you go?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On province." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not