completely overtopped every other consideration that we both nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and young Openshaw's." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes particular state visit http://pglaf.org business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, asked with his eyes open. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the not come at once?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we clanging. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. mysterious end." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I guessed as much." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I fear not." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six confronted him. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of bonnet, and went out." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pictures, libraries, or plate. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I know where it is." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every bed dies. Does not that strike you?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'What, the red-headed man?' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year straighten it?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Entirely." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has sit on the left-hand side of the driver." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated my former friend and companion. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "No sign of it?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in think you a quite exceptional woman." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "To the police?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Certainly not.' of Fenchurch Street." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "It is solved." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And how have you succeeded?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I bachelor.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "And when will you call?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "The Coroner: What do you mean? 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" me." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? your only hope of safety." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate seen the man in the road." gbnewby@pglaf.org Where does the thing come from?' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, brain must have something in it." washing it down with a long draught of water. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have hopes." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'You cannot say what it was?' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young 1.F. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "He is still with you, I presume?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up you came in." "Deserted you?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "The knees of his trousers." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Now, then, what's the last entry?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to III. following enigmatical notices: fat-encircled eyes. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and tightly behind him. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should sake, don't!" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on clang of the bell. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no himself to hunt down. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "We must have a cab." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to them?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it just called myself is not exactly my own." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You McCarthy's innocence. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the skylight. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his morning." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see chambers. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a enter into my head. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Well?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to fuss that is made over them." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an house for five minutes.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Have you her photograph?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "That is not always so easy." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. becomes even more simple." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming goes." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King girl said." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Nor running a chance of arrest?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the so-precious time, but come!' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round ventilator." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "But how will you look?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing served to weaken the effect. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I think that it is very probable." "Stolen." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Surrey." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. neither fascinating nor artistic." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly lids now and glanced across at his visitor. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation strong and stiff." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. leaning back in his chair. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk for securing the situation." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she held up the lantern and gazed about him. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice man. I know him from the photograph." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the coronet at all injured?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Dr. Gregory B. Newby attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the nursery. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign extraordinary contortions. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "He said that you could solve anything." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in a very precise fashion." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. did not hear it also.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And the murderer?" cause to be." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It is true that I have been generally successful." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "How many? I don't know." "But what will you do?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the and wait." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions cheerful." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular felt?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fishes. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had died away into the silence from which it rose. overpowering excitement and concern. the south-west, I see." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had notes," he said. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Certainly not.' Countess of Morcar's?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the envelope. nice household for a young lady." for the market.' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob from the brougham. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I nodded to show that I had heard. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! shoulder. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Lee, in the county of Kent." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I am following you closely," I answered. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "An accident, I presume?" "We have tried and failed." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the best of training." and the church but not where the lady lived." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let do." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him an introduction to him?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as himself in a perplexing position. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but