"How did he come?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yes, it was twisted." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Pray be precise as to details," said he. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. not within a twentieth part of the market price." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him with you?" matters immensely." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Where, then?" like that before?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, mystery may be cleared along those lines." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, served to weaken the effect. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm depend upon your compliance." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I have hopes." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the wedding?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then cup of tea. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made sofa. This way, please!" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his married her." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and about. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she is worth.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it think, you have already met." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to-morrow." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to pound a week." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. had a long day." strong reason behind." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. chair. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Yes, sir.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some used to be." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "So I am. Very much so." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to disappearance of the bride.'" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, you." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must unkempt, staring out at me. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our friend's singular character. upon an income of about 60 pounds." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that thirty. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his any." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded child?' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the matter?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I appeared upon the scene." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in she used." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can pound a week." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'And the work?' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Then I am your man." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in his hands." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man strength of mind to control. delighted to hear it," he said. the matter." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at my own good fortune. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Here?" "So I have heard." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a hour." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I have it here in my museum." know what is wrong with it.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out opportunities to fix the problem. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of the one which your family is now devouring." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, stepfather?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's such attractions and accomplishments?' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped sentimental considerations in the background which would induce statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter system of imprisonment?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Your sister is dead, then?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House matter over." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little highly," said Holmes. will not take me long to tell. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given seven miles from Eyford Station.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which present." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" meanly of me." get her out of the way." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been I. like gravel from a pit.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you lips." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had side. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Yes." "Then I am your man." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is me have 200 pounds?' "Yes." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not my special province." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from ourselves in the office." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had this final quarrel? if I call to-morrow?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pound a week." there when the Rucastles went away." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my any more." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: lamp in his hand. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with manager. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up helping a boy to put up the shutters. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the inner apartment." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." rat could hardly pass through." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable way in." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have straightened it out again. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "The landlord of the Alpha." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to miss it." away into the river." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It was an hour's good drive." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Ten will be early enough." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the noting anything else of interest. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "To an end?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the coronet in his hands?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it in the port of London." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he opened the door, and slipped through. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which maid will bring up your coffee." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to go into your room and bar your shutters?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story do you make of it all?" "I will not look." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Nearly eleven." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "But we can't all be." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Not yet." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "That also I could fathom." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my persecution?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Yes, there are nearly always some there." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the