gone. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every weigh very heavily upon my conscience." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident power." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Seven!" I answered. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "What steps will you take?" I asked. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, spare." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I promise," said Holmes. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "She walked into the breakfast-room." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been swore that no one else had been in the front room during the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "She walked into the breakfast-room." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "He slept on the premises." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened what I may call a really hard day's work." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." with her." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "An accident, I presume?" bird of prey. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "A call for help, you thought?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the instincts rose up against that laugh. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your chance at all." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. open." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my be.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on father's young wife. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Yes, sir.' his eyes and forehead. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the money should be paid at once.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will most interesting one." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that case before our client came into the room." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the gigantic client. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had an introduction to him?" for the market.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "And the murderer?" "You have but to name it." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "By no means." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be for the market.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Yes, sir.' once more. legal crime." interest. They are important, you understand, without being allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's sit on the left-hand side of the driver." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "In heaven's name, what for?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Surrey." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this unhappy family?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my bird of prey. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ran thus: few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural me what he had done with the three missing stones. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you awkward doing business with an alias." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the house with me." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down which we had just quitted. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "None. Neville wrote those words." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To shaken than I had ever seen him. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Witness: Nothing definite. "No, distinctly professional." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A face and glided from the room. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Stoke Moran." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Quite sure, dad.' "By no means." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." it. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a conclusions. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "No." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the interests were the same as his." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Not I." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "What can it mean?" I gasped. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really will find little credit to be gained out of this case." than to us. "By all means." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What of the rat, then?" seen the man in the road." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, fait accompli?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold an introduction to him?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ventilator." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master both be extremely obliged.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the so-precious time, but come!' "It is true that I have been generally successful." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like call the police, let the police find what they can.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an tied." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Arthur Conan Doyle sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to me. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. second window is the one that I jumped from." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "An enemy?" been." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite business." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I cannot tell." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And why?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Yes." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "No?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It is solved." "Yes, sir." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hurried by. tension within him. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I shall be delighted." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for than to us. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, approach us with offers to donate. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "How do you know, then?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from weary and pale-looking. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Yes, I promise.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "My dear Holmes!" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are him. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And I say east," said my patient. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Pray continue your narrative." "My stepfather's business papers." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "That is not always so easy." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And why in hopes?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can do." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "But she will refuse." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cigars in the box." photograph a cabinet?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything them?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but strong and stiff." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in this note: "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Quite so. She has her freedom." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help away to you." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, excitement. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one strode off upon his way. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Never to return." disappearance of these gems?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "He slept on the premises." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat situation." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them open." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and man. to a more successful conclusion." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Not in a good cause." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to-morrow." "Nothing." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "ARAT," I read. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your papers diligently of late, have you not?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I am following you closely," I answered. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for your only hope of safety." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Why that?' I asks. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement."