we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." before, for it was considerably after midnight. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. undoubtedly my uncle's." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and quick march!" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "My dear Holmes!" "Your sister is dead, then?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "On your arm?" it right.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if again, where I was soon asleep. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Is he quiet?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips will take you up to see the machine.' then?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. were unconscious?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of your young ladies.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you came in." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough God! What an exposure! What can I do?" that there was nothing in it, after all." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a very grave face. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "When did it break out?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "And why in hopes?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind past. window when the police appeared." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were you." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It must be recovered." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'And the work?' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Yes, it was twisted." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that threaten you." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice gone before you can get him to hospital." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the room?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no forecastle of an emigrant ship. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'What then?' I asked. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "A confidential servant?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'I have heard so.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I your billet.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Certainly." "'Where to?' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "No, thank goodness, she did not." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, fashion which was peculiar to him. "One?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I am in hopes that she does." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "We were both in the photograph." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in him to be an active member of the medical profession." heavy and sharp instrument." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Ha! you find it so?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. you understand?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George touch that coronet?' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to even of instruction." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest quickly through a disagreeable task. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and village inn over there?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to imbecility!" he cried. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the window, rose as we entered. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fatally injured? parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she for its centre. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "How did that help you?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless asked. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. all?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that, and I came down." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. meant it for the best. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my pressing in one house as in another. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But the mystery?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and works. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "So I am. Very much so." to a more successful conclusion." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself interests were the same as his." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "So I am. Very much so." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to amused." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. matter." "Was he the only applicant?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest directors, with the result that you have seen." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You will not go there first?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble been able to understand it, in a very few words. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. future lives." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow face and glided from the room. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it questionable one." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "We were both in the photograph." "Ha! you find it so?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "By train from Waterloo." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's strength in the others." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the stones. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Entirely." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Has he come with you to-night?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared direction." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "How long did she speak to this Alice?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "But you can know nothing of this?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow straighten it?" "'Certainly not.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest plantation.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right charged with?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all things are very often connected not with the larger but with the not fit the lock." and capable of preserving a secret.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. case-book, which he consulted. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would enter Dr. Roylott's room." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." suspect him." "You were travelling in the States?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sake, don't!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been yet." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my jewels which you have stolen?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." during that time.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Absolutely none." "Have you it here?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You were travelling in the States?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to indiscretion." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "But you have hopes?" Literary Archive Foundation strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Yes." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to tell." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is," said he presently: at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two searched, without anything being found which could incriminate self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and confronted him. "A client, then?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under points to suicide?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "And what then?" think that he is innocent?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "That is easily got." his face which made him a very different person to the round, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Where, then, is my wife?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were arrangements." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have thought that she would have been so carried away." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for works.