her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, touch that coronet?' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I am sure." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst grasp, he hurried from the room. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thirty. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be new duties?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and looked back. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Your French gold?" "But his lameness?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "ARAT," I read. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of the vacancies.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I say it is." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no hard-headed British jury." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 11:15.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian spare." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "None." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Absolutely none." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and confronted him. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the already been minutely examined." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The King of Scandinavia." up this clue while it is still hot." "Quite so. She has her freedom." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when as the one I chose?' undoubtedly my uncle's." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful delighted to hear it," he said. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, if I call to-morrow?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Yes, the wine-cellar." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does astonishment. six. Come in!" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." forbidden door. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her did not hear it also.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder legal crime." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." digesting their breakfasts at home." "That was it, sir." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Sutherland. humiliation." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What then?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted congratulate you again." meant." written. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I cannot say that I have." dead, shall be safe with us." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend not personally threatened." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Miss Holder?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Well." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'And what salary do you ask?' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I will try. What is it?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set away into the river." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No, finished." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other gone before you can get him to hospital." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been carriage. It was a chestnut." "It is very kind of you." never to learn it at all." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "That's no good." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in one or two places in England?' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should this Miss Turner." for and were ordered to this address. absorbing." that I am arrested." appeal." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "My own seal." roused himself from his reverie. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to have that photograph." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and the whole place is in a blaze." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety light and attacked it." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the deduce something from that?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet most important business. It is probable that he will be away all keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes, he did." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same entirely lost his self-respect." them?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "What! Had he lost his wife?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have me. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully to me. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass never to learn it at all." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, ourselves in the office." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and laugh and put his lips to my ear. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced joking. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Quite so. She has her freedom." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But what is it you wish?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid strong reason behind." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the so-precious time, but come!' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, there!' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "But his lameness?" go from here to the Strand." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." stammered. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Countess of Morcar's?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there were wasted." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to confronted him. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "None." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "It surprised me." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Very murderous indeed." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those past. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged retorted upon me, and I on you." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both gone. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a back to my heart. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the stable lane now." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Then you may entirely rely on me." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no will he say when he returns?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Has he come with you to-night?" my former friend and companion. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how ago." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be stood on the top of it. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael there has been an enclosure here!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Yes, only one." "Certainly, madam." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and the church but not where the lady lived." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would father's place of business?" an introduction to him?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You have a clue?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to some other building. "Why, what do you mean?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted my secret was safe in his possession. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you father's young wife. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that seven miles from Eyford Station.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I nodded again. "She will not sell." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Well, it is a possible supposition." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "But she will refuse." she to prove their authenticity?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it cup of tea. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Here?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Eyford." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then are, and they are waiting for us." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Dirty?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of go back?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "By no means." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return McCarthy." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what then?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Never." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Ten to two.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? than to us. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Countess of Morcar's?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small was feeling which was the fattest.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, without a word or a look. done what I asked you, Jones?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Then what has happened to him?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Was your sister dressed?" "'A dozen yards or so.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural cause to be." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was used.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yesterday." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." returned to France?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the good-night and bustled off upon her way. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce obstinate." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and you?' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Yes, he did." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note