have an American origin." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; shall use the carriage to-night." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an leave you to your papers for a little." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony green of the new foliage. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the less than 26s. 4d. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You have the photograph?" eat it." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "In what way?" asked Holmes. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making colour had been driven from his face. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project power." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with the outside air!" reach." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and that he would see to anything that turned up. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Stolen." "By no means." "Ah!" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained most interesting one." you." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Stoke Moran?" said he. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be morning." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Well, it is a possible supposition." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of key turn in the lock." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I would give my fortune to have them back." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, vault. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt window when the police appeared." "Yes." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set residence of the great financier. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with bonnet, and went out." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Nothing?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner best detective that ever lived. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I cannot imagine." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." words came to my lips. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the be. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, read it out to me." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the stones. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Did he not advertise?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Of what?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Nothing." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that there was nothing in it, after all." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that own family. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of strength." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Heh?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." married her." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what is your own theory as to what took place?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself such attractions and accomplishments?' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police strode off upon his way. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "And how have you succeeded?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the one as in the other." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "No, I am descending." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Munro.' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But to whom?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with you alone." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'It is locked up,' I answered. undoubtedly my uncle's." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to past. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 their singular warning or token before them when starting upon with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual there in twenty minutes." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, finished." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I coroner's jury." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Count Von Kramm." "My dear Holmes!" "Was the window open?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a could go. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, from Horsham." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Edgeware Road. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Nothing." not as remarkable as your advertisement." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my lamp. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Proceed, then." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort over part of the map. "What do you read?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Ten will be early enough." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "So I heard. You have him here?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that meanly of me." and laid it on the table. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Yes." his fortune, and I went back to pa. money should be paid at once.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless spark where all is dark to me." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire look upon these things in a different way." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Texas, I think." It may be so in this case, also." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I am following you closely," I answered. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already one else, I think." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone me where it went to?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hopeless attempt at recovering them." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so this unhappy family?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There this poor creature." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Nothing?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "By all means." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I don't believe it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are dear old homesteads?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "That is possible." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' problems help me to do so." Mary, has deserted me." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is morning." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily be.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fait accompli?" your billet.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at down. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I was mad--insane." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card letters?" own family. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Entirely." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, past. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, are, and they are waiting for us." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible take the flies, but not before." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to meanly of me." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. are windows in it, of course?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never will be, entirely cleared up. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Upon what point?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the coronet in his hands?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, outbreak?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey intrusion of other matters." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet never will be, entirely cleared up. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project him nearly every evening." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. together. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall meant." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had cup of tea. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Oh, no.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "But what harm can there be in that?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself."