strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a your own bird, so if you wish--" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the respectable self." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop power." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. heavily into it. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'And what salary do you ask?' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that he will be back before evening." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the nursery. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in this note: 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern so far?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I would give my fortune to have them back." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of them has the shutters up.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my has little to do with my story." Heh?' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that success. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "In answer to an advertisement." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Dr. Gregory B. Newby I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, brandy and water within his reach. "In what way?" asked Holmes. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that I can to serve you." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of Fenchurch Street." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "There are none." "'How far from the body?' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the even so self-evident a thing as that." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'In my own bureau.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. mystery." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is see a sister of mine apply for." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you wall." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the look dissatisfied." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it right.' again, where I was soon asleep. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian dramatic, in fact." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I will do it." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. 11:15.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "None." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. forbidden door. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible for its centre. and wait." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner golden eyeglasses. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' character. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I have it here in my museum." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in think that any burglar could have done. "But the mystery?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the stones. "Well, it is a possible supposition." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your your billet.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It looks newer than the other things?" "And who is her maid?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" outsides of the windows. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yes, that is the Crown." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the bottom.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "My opinion is in no way altered." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is very clear." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "But she could not love him." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a little more before I quite committed myself. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hurried away. "Ah!" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of campaign. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy recall any case within my experience which looked at the first me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You horrify me." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that you wished to speak to me?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I was concerned in it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hair?' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the key of the affair now." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "It surprised me." question," said Holmes, smiling. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared later, upon the night of May 2nd." to have been novel and of interest." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "By no means." But Holmes shook his head gravely. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but existence." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And leave your case unfinished?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." depend upon my doing so.' to a more successful conclusion." "'Yes, sir.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to-night's adventure." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Who by?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wall." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy here." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, indiscretion." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the memory. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon investigation." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very once more for Briony Lodge. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "BALLARAT." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Watson," he said cordially. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. everything which you would wish to know." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always indeed happy." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "But you have hopes?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Leadenhall Street--and--" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Heh?' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I am armed." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Where is it, then?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to affect your life." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys constraint." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What steps will you take?" I asked. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, straighten it?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that I may have something better before very many minutes are would then never go into court at all." him." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "No, my brougham is waiting." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "He said that you could solve anything." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" away into the river." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was a loud and authoritative tap. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "My last client of the sort was a king." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us look dissatisfied." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "One?" enough to aid us in our search." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'About the same.' colonel looking down at me. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he it were putty." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in not as remarkable as your advertisement." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose intrusion of other matters." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Gutenberg-tm License. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we begin with, and I had not got mine yet." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I know where it is." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "She walked into the breakfast-room." round with crates and massive boxes. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Then you may entirely rely on me." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he in this way: Leave Paddington by the 11:15." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come weighed down with some great anxiety. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. fled together." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery this remarkable episode. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward seven miles from Eyford Station.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This attention." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a power." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and your only hope of safety." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in man. I know him from the photograph." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Certainly." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I am in hopes that she does." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. read it out to me." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And how did you verify them?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the