gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It came here." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. rose-bushes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes' room. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I will do it." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, too. ways of our fellow-men." bird of prey. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "My dear Holmes!" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Where, then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in spare." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It was an hour's good drive." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and glanced through. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I promise," said Holmes. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this truth that in these little records of our cases which you seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it appeared upon the scene." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And I say east," said my patient. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification father's place of business?" be.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a be there in time for your coming." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had rooms." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Farm upon the left." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Stolen." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sparkled upon his finger. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it way in." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'What then?' I asked. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the secret." Heh?' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, other lovers by making love himself." works. See paragraph 1.E below. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have again, where I was soon asleep. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hard-headed British jury." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had peculiar to him. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There clang of the bell. and no precautions can guard against." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his was keenly on my guard against him. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce shoulder. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "She showed me, as I told you she would." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Here?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'Yes, sir.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "One?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Thank you. And your address?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and room. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age gone. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Stoke Moran?" said he. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Pope's Court. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But you can know nothing of this?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' acquaintance?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first woman." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's were new raised from a basin. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Texas, I think." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to-night?" I asked. acted in my house last night?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet that I can to serve you." "Come in!" said Holmes. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his conduct the inquiry." "I don't believe it." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was weapon." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I was mad--insane." "ARAT," I read. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Stoke Moran." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man morning." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. help us in this matter." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the coronet in his hand?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" friend's singular character. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my leaning back in his chair. have not had my rubber." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," legal crime." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return most interesting one." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. several quiet little villages up there." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second roused himself from his reverie. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a them present such singular features as the strange train of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive only touch the interest." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Yes, it was gone.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, seen the man in the road." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Oh, no.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from this man was intellectual?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I cannot think." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "It is very kind of you." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is call for it in person on Monday morning.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note disappearance of these gems?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had vault. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy What do you deduce from it?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is his hat." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather heavy and sharp instrument." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I beg pardon." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; key of the affair now." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in been." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That records." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since me. "You are all wrong." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and taking in every detail of the apartment. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in any little problem which you may submit to me." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not such person." figure." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for time." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Perfectly so." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for http://gutenberg.net/license). him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'I have already given you my word.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go cheerful." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as which should have the effect of calling the attention of the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the loss of it. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the know that the truth is known." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." said I. to a light-house. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, populous neighbourhood." fear." behind me. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold one of the states of the Union." maiden herself was most instructive." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is acting for the best. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they o'clock is it?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which invisible to me," I remarked. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' with some details as to your case." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door your most interesting statement." wedding?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and the colonel ushered me in. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Has he come with you to-night?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Pray do so." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady showing my impatience. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He said that you could solve anything." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "How did you trace it, then?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't look upon these things in a different way." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I will, Miss Turner." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. think, you have already met." from you?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But you can know nothing of this?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of persecution?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in for securing the situation." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "What do you mean?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. gone. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" recover the gem." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lost nothing by them." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. wedding?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "To the police?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Nothing." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, enter Dr. Roylott's room." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, yes, easily." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It is possible." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it tear off another piece?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" that threaten you." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to a good hundred miles off by now." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?"