master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "A confidential servant?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning said he. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the one of the states of the Union." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then how many are there?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of heavily into it. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "And how?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of his shoulders. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" standing smiling on the door-step. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Not I." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "When did she vanish, then?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I say it is." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." four million human beings all jostling each other within the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** details." "It looks newer than the other things?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "What, then, did Peterson do?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me not use it unless it is absolutely needed." pressing in one house as in another. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late introspective fashion. "And that is--" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." keep the flames under. clang of the bell. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I cannot say that I have." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled this man was intellectual?" your troubles." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I shall communicate with you." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the station." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you will not take me long to tell. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Leave Paddington by the 11:15." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "And how have you succeeded?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I cannot think." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Certainly." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't one else, I think." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "On Monday." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. them, and came down just as you departed. his forehead." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that threaten you." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and effective." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London more terrible than the truth. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. out." "Not particularly." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But crowd. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately became a certainty. "'Is purely nominal.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the breakfast?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. reach." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "And what did you learn from him?" the roots. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the returned to France?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Yes, sir." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a good-night and bustled off upon her way. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where was it brought him the coronet? years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. within hail.' public press." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you III. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up such attractions and accomplishments?' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Have you it here?" in a very precise fashion." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very interest. They are important, you understand, without being reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he tell him that I know him to be innocent." III. have accepted such a situation. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the nights." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "At the wedding breakfast." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Never." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Very murderous indeed." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and annoyance, but no jest. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that you saw all that I did." note?" Miss Holder?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "How did you trace it, then?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the not fit the lock." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Stoke Moran." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which meant." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace absorbing." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of giving me time to thank him. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the telegram would bring me down to your help." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "What! a murderous attack?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be their singular warning or token before them when starting upon form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary it means?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" points to suicide?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I shall communicate with you." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which shaken than I had ever seen him. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ill-usage at the hands of fortune. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he good-night and bustled off upon her way. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'And the work?' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her that I can to serve you." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I shall be delighted." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that beg that you will break it off." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the together. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at chance at all." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I never have." these bleak autumnal evenings." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And you can do nothing until then?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "A confidential servant?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty sake, don't!" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking sentimental considerations in the background which would induce tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic morning." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he leave you to your papers for a little." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual are, and they are waiting for us." "Precisely." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some pressing in one house as in another. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I even so self-evident a thing as that." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I was sure that I might rely on you." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, you want, then?' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from the brougham. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And how?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "That is not always so easy." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, invisible to me," I remarked. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, as this. Pray let me have the details." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can certainly not very gracious." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It is possible." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You saw the ventilator, too?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Ample." thirty. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wedding?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the house with me." "You have carte blanche." footfalls from the street. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Gutenberg-tm License. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Do you go out much in society?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I breakfast?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my something of him before." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Who by?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Can I be of assistance?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder.