"Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The doctor?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of time." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the appointment with me for six o'clock?" not, dad?" she asked. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." not, dad?" she asked. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to or in danger--" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Nothing." within hail.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No, thank goodness, she did not." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Indeed! Whose, then?" Sutherland?" words came to my lips. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns troubles have been weighing upon his mind. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of good-night and bustled off upon her way. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Come in!" said Holmes. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "At the wedding breakfast." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the charged with?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at mysterious business." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he showing my impatience. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Then you may be so with me." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. upon a handsome competence. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so three fields round his house, and there he would take his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both through." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "How can you tell that?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and late." "I guessed as much." to change my dress. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, side. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my DAMAGE. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "How did you trace it, then?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his cigars in their mouths. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from outbreak?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's sparkled upon his finger. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then you may be so with me." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the so.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'I shall certainly be there.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these my little problems." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly tied." DAMAGE. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. highroad, where all traces were lost. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm remarked. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chance at all." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps look upon these things in a different way." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of round with crates and massive boxes. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wedding?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps returning from some small jollification and was making his way clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to weighed down with some great anxiety. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It must be recovered." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an absolutely follow my advice in every respect." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." question. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of gbnewby@pglaf.org wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What are they?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the inquest, and which are worth considering." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do had a long day." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "How often?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in this note: Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Nothing." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tightly behind him. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Stolen!' he cried. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" foot. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. had died away into the silence from which it rose. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure papers diligently of late, have you not?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your might have a private word with us. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. learned something! Where are the gems?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the loss of it. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Can I be of assistance?" III. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I am armed." "One of his hands." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, them present such singular features as the strange train of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'What, the red-headed man?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Seven!" I answered. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my John Swain, of St. Augustine. giving me time to thank him. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, written, and locked the door of the office after me. mysterious end." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather bears upon the case?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to surprise her." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Bought." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Yes, from Horsham." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the bottom.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg unkempt, staring out at me. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place certainly not very gracious." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. been deceived." London for the present?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It was." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "The best possible." wanted for ourselves." or in danger--" written. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "The gentleman I describe." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And begin with, and I had not got mine yet." depend upon your compliance." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of affection." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for discontent upon his features. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic tied." his grey eyes. morning." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, for and were ordered to this address. feature." just ask you whether you had heard it.' she to prove their authenticity?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It surprised me." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My stepfather's business papers." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Of what?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It's nothing of the kind." "To ruin me." read it out to me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. crime. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I will get her to show me." "There is the writing." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Street. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every strong and stiff." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the King without delay." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "She will not sell." get the tickets." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had dear old homesteads?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Very good.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. do.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "When did she vanish, then?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "What, then, did Peterson do?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Yes, only one." secret." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "My Mary? Impossible!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of skylight. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Where did you address your letters, then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Yes, that is the Crown." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that I can to serve you." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and something of him before." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the coronet in his hands?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And when will you call?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Nothing." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between goes." in the port of London." is four-and-twenty." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you for a few hours?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "An enemy?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "It is solved." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hand, madam?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Well." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the tail." union?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally was a perfect sample of the class. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I nodded to show that I had heard. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and said I. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be problems help me to do so." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Never." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety."