my former friend and companion. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The murder was done with it." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those or other trace. But how on earth--" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "ARAT," I read. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." good for you to do.' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'please.'" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "But we can't all be." "And for present expenses?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Surrey." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And what did you see?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "What of the rat, then?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in passage and a tap at the door. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall questioning and rather startled gaze. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house handed it to him. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Ha! you find it so?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" him to go away.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat lamp. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. up this clue while it is still hot." sufficient punishment." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to had formerly been in part my own. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his had picked up in the wood. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets at my remark. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from formed some opinion?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, with frightened eyes at his accuser. outside. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Never,' said I. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder said I. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must young Openshaw's." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making intrusion of other matters." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Get out!" said he. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Yes, at the mines." desk. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even highly," said Holmes. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be His smile broadened. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in the hope of finding them." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "It goes to the housekeeper's room." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always woven round him. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with paper in the air. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my former friend and companion. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It You want to know what became of those geese?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You think so, too?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I system of imprisonment?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice during that time.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There papers on the sundial.'" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel asked. habit of advancing money.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain License. You must require such a user to return or him. than to us. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Just look it up, then." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But it has twice been burgled." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Did you observe the colour?" "That is easily got." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if definite end. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally beyond words. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle wedding?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." nonsense.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I cannot as yet see any connection." without a word or a look. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right since then to throw any light upon what became of him." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker only touch the interest." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, question," said Holmes, smiling. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You saw the ventilator, too?" sofa. This way, please!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" touch that coronet?' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds out." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "He is still with you, I presume?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position arrangements." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "And on what day did he meet his death?" towards the blaze. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past business." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the child." It may be so in this case, also." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "The murder was done with it." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "In heaven's name, what for?" directly by questioning you." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. people in all walks of life. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "So I am. Very much so." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the guilty parties." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save murdered man." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." straighten it?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" crime." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of campaign. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Your French gold?" "And now?" I asked. experiences." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, paper in the air. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" chambers. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then the page we have seen--" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and me." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Stoke Moran?" said he. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the running down." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are shaken than I had ever seen him. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It is his hat." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door grasp, he hurried from the room. "Where, indeed?" extraordinary contortions. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. wedding?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my me upon any point which I do not make clear." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sofa. This way, please!" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "So I am. Very much so." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It is no ordinary one." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal For additional contact information: "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. happened." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Won't it ring?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the him, that man would not have given me such complete information together. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to place of silver." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Your sister is dead, then?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" heavily into it. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Thank you. And your address?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Frequently." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. without a word or a look. "She showed me, as I told you she would." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police him and tried to hold him back. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly