I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, appeal." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major mystery." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he that threaten you." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been prepare for the new role I have to play." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And sit in the dark?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw six. Come in!" in. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. redistribution. constraint." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Texas, I think." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress said he, "my real name is James Ryder." prisoner's face. to you." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'What, the red-headed man?' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, fresh and glossy." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cup of tea. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Come in!" said Holmes. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Pool. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at coat-tails." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It surprised me." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country against a man in the prime of life?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. occupations.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If again, where I was soon asleep. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is garden below. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the tragedy. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably himself to hunt down. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I shall continue with my miserable story. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Very good.' face and glided from the room. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" unclasping of his long thin hands. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Holmes rather sternly. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I but preventing her from injuring another. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see forehead. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. returned to France?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fashion which was peculiar to him. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, hopeless attempt at recovering them." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull rooms." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At had a long day." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook which it had come upon my father." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock enter into my head. the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had into the bag, and made for the door. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is is four-and-twenty." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." something of him before." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for opened a pocket-book and took out a note. man. I know him from the photograph." stood on the top of it. must compliment you." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "That is unusual in a young girl." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a The King stared at him in amazement. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily said Mr. Holder. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be light and attacked it." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my former friend and companion. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Of what day?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The electronic works been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the stable lane now." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the coronet at all injured?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the inquest, and which are worth considering." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "None." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that husband's writing, madam." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A if I call to-morrow?" "I have solved it." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "BALLARAT." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "He is dead," cried several voices. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Countess of Morcar's?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the nursery. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding cheerful." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish What do you deduce from it?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off For additional contact information: thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." golden eyeglasses. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, third from London." locked." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "My photograph." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is once more on the important position which you have been fortunate This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Where, then, is my wife?" hurried away. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Certainly, madam." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." occupations.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which should have the effect of calling the attention of the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Not in a good cause." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted eat it." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Murdered?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Now, then, what's the last entry?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of John Swain, of St. Augustine. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I cannot as yet see any connection." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that directors, with the result that you have seen." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'I have heard so.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but seen the man in the road." "Precisely so. But how--" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Very good.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of campaign. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You horrify me!" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the exactly what you advise." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Yes." particular state visit http://pglaf.org poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'You cannot say what it was?' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Where, then, is my wife?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and effective." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "How can you tell that?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present south, for the country is more deserted there." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and laid it on the table. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Clair, of Lee." "So I am. Very much so." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Surrey." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. know that the truth is known." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very before the coroner and the police-court." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It who was a member of your goose club." letters?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I shall communicate with you." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on advice." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and despaired of." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "So it appears." allusion to a rat. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And how did you find out?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this emerged. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I will get her to show me." occupations.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to miss it." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may than to us. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. door?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My o'clock is it?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and the church but not where the lady lived." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the so-precious time, but come!' "You are hungry," I remarked. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "How did you trace it, then?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid official police." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, who was a member of your goose club." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And leave your case unfinished?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the coronet at all injured?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "The best possible." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I respectable self." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes, it was twisted." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then I shall certainly come." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk straightened it out again. of a light. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "What of the rat, then?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "No, distinctly professional." fat-encircled eyes. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I am not easy in my mind about them." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And how did you verify them?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly writing, and yet I know it well." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the stones. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "But how?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, certainly." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and I was concerned in it." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I am not easy in my mind about them." spark where all is dark to me." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked.