question," said Holmes, smiling. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there in twenty minutes." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging characteristics, but those are the more obvious." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the less than 26s. 4d. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you in yours." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, never came back." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Where did he live, then?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get husband's writing, madam." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back bearing upon the case." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Never.' detained." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Entirely." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my kind enough to tell me what I should do." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was a loud and authoritative tap. official police." delighted to hear it," he said. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an four million human beings all jostling each other within the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes, but only for you and me." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring charge against him will break down." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to arrive at through this?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the very morning of the wedding." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What! You do not mean bodies?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But your client--" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. lectures into a series of tales." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. them present such singular features as the strange train of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I will not look." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the this man was intellectual?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say speckled band?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fluttered off among the others. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a very grave face. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; as noiselessly as she had come. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I cannot think." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" fire. You quite follow me?" "I will get her to show me." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over cup of tea. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and no precautions can guard against." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who himself to hunt down. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Was she in good spirits?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "My last client of the sort was a king." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else man. the one as in the other." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial figure." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a night.' said he. "My Mary? Impossible!" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists salesman. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Not in a good cause." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in this note: some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Did your wife hear all this?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to a light-house. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a upon an income of about 60 pounds." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. formed some opinion?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Cross for the Continent." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." beyond words. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of your young ladies.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I have it here in my museum." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "What is it?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Stoke Moran?" said he. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his indeed happy." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the be there in time for your coming." see me here to avoid scandal." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." so far?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "There is the writing." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: Nothing definite. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to not come at once?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about writers could invent nothing more crude." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "And why?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was a loud and authoritative tap. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been one which it was hard to resist. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Seven!" I answered. "Very truly yours, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and a shock of very red hair. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to formed some opinion?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Will you go?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Dr. Gregory B. Newby although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Did your wife hear all this?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot morning." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am away into the river." conduct the inquiry." the room while you explain this matter?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my former friend and companion. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to tell." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the money should be paid at once.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Certainly." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "In heaven's name, what for?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I that you saw all that I did." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Perhaps we may make them less so." Miss Holder?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of charge against him will break down." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I shall most certainly do so." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the yards of it?' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and the colonel ushered me in. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The King of Scandinavia." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "None." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from chemical work which was so dear to him. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I answered that I had not. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, at home. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a case before our client came into the room." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a to that open window." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." some terrible trap for her." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was feeling which was the fattest.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But not more so than I to find you." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of he bowed and left the room without another word. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place posted to-day." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is absorbing." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' charge against him will break down." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it better in every way that they should make their position a little reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a little more before I quite committed myself. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "The rest you will leave in our hands." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Pope's Court, Fleet Street." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was a loud and authoritative tap. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan have been better. It is all right." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to cigars in their mouths. "I cannot tell." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I retorted upon me, and I on you." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two II. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor said Mr. Holder. more solid." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "A confidential servant?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door room. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me."