The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that promised to bring home. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with himself in a perplexing position. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to quick march!" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed that he will be back before evening." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sufficient punishment." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to arrested. You then--" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' corner of the building. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I was certainly surprised to find you there." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Has he come with you to-night?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your case-book, which he consulted. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he politicians who had been sent down from the North. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "At half-wages, in fact." murdered man." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" could go. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir." "That is unusual in a young girl." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'And what salary do you ask?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that before the coroner and the police-court." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been where Mr. Fordham shows you.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It is to him that this trophy belongs." just called myself is not exactly my own." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." such person." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a get the tickets." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's than was visible to me." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "We were both in the photograph." "But it has twice been burgled." comes from the middle window." all-comprehensive glances. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Quite so. She has her freedom." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bare slabs of marble. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "And what did you see?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the again before evening." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'As governess?' "We must have a cab." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Well?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to talk it over. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the his knees, staring into the fire. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "But what harm can there be in that?" Again Holmes raved in the air. despaired of." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the skylight. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It of note-paper. It read in this fashion: accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Perhaps I have." them, and came down just as you departed. very old mansion. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It is possible." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "How about poison?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far direction." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'You cannot say what it was?' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an your bag." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in a very precise fashion." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "At half-wages, in fact." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook fire. You quite follow me?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I leave." hand, madam?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Then I shall certainly come." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely brain must have something in it." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you do it in twenty minutes!' Henry Baker is a member." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." miles off. all that?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all train.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You'll never persuade me to believe that." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire companion. Count Von Kramm." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from will not take me long to tell. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Did he not advertise?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your just called myself is not exactly my own." against a man in the prime of life?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that lamp in his hand. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Yes, it was twisted." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'Never.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What shall I do?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the fled together." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was for its centre. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land might have a private word with us. golden eyeglasses. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with opportunities to fix the problem. a suggestive one." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "You were travelling in the States?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the all-comprehensive glances. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the nursery. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Ample.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "But who is he?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until him nearly every evening." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and written, and locked the door of the office after me. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Eyford at 11:15.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "He slept on the premises." "No, thank goodness, she did not." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that in the hope of finding them." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us towards the blaze. "I say that I have solved it." "At half-wages, in fact." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his knees, staring into the fire. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Why, it's a dummy," said he. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You have the photograph?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in you." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly peculiar to him. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do him and tried to hold him back. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment writer." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" attention." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Thank you. Pray proceed." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he danger is over." lost nothing by them." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the might help us?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is copied or distributed: case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of here and I will read it to you: village inn over there?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, never to learn it at all." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "None." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fact, we may call it conclusive." miles off. "And what then?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have come either from the window or the door. My attention was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, present." of a light. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know likely to be some crony of the landlady's." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. maid will bring up your coffee." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property closing the door. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I promise," said Holmes. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured fish-monger and a tide-waiter." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he cause to be." gigantic client. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and ran thus: simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, father's place of business?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord