purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Will you bet, then?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be whatever might befall. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and your relations to her." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I have my revolver," said I. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's lids now and glanced across at his visitor. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew she might be summoned. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It is very kind of you." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while cigar and let me expound." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross keep the flames under. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "No, I think that I'll take it." Sutherland. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the address that was given us in the advertisement. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got is worth.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send prison!" question. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business had picked up in the wood. go back?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Have you it here?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his John Swain, of St. Augustine. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Indeed! Whose, then?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those His name is Francis Prosper." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of said he at last. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical wall." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon http://www.gutenberg.net have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not she might be summoned. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that excitement. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wedding?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her had picked up in the wood. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. might have a private word with us. least a most suspicious remark." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my breakfast." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have had none more fantastic than this." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you some city in a dream. head. So long, then!" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to go into your room and bar your shutters?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You know me, then?" with her." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting From what you have told me I think that it is possible that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look your most interesting statement." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "So I have heard." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other outbreak?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. figure." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk than to us. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I should be immensely obliged to you." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use residence of the great financier. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "What, then?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from south, for the country is more deserted there." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bachelor.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the very morning of the wedding." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem cheerful." "How many? I don't know." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly that the gas is not laid on in his house?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. your only hope of safety." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "To ruin me." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal maiden herself was most instructive." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional off." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I in one or two places in England?' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his held up the lantern and gazed about him. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK despaired of." "And now?" He raised his hand. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of it with the greatest attention. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, power." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But you were on a friendly footing?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be shoulder; "he's all right." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, better grown goose." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It missed him, then?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "My dear Holmes!" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger system of imprisonment?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the coronet in his hands?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I have my revolver," said I. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a crime. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is both be extremely obliged.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Precisely so. But how--" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's could go. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable families. Now for the facts. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." drawing your inferences." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Has he come with you to-night?" very old mansion. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "His face fell immediately. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "But how will you look?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can should be so warm over such a trifle." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed been able to understand it, in a very few words. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' you understand?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "One of his hands." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "To an end?" call it cruel." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then man. I know him from the photograph." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." residence of the great financier. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Yes, certainly." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are looking up at the numbers of the houses." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found out of this horrible affair." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." works. enter Dr. Roylott's room." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I cannot imagine." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, it would be as well." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "That is it on the dressing-table." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we waste of energy." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Witness: I must still refuse. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "And when will you call?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I everything which you would wish to know." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the stood on the top of it. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an bedroom door." "The Coroner: What do you mean? his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the posted to-day." Where does the thing come from?' entirely lost his self-respect." "She walked into the breakfast-room." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside kindly on the shoulder. intrusion of other matters." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "My opinion is in no way altered." "Where to?" "Yes, only one." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to there!' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded better grown goose." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, appeared upon the scene." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "What can you not understand?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "That is it on the dressing-table." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But what is it you wish?" have had none more fantastic than this." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have but preventing her from injuring another. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, unclasping of his long thin hands. the stones. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, for the market.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as he remarks, very much against the son." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" would then never go into court at all." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of them has the shutters up.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "The landlord of the Alpha." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My records." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth strength." rose-bushes. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the