"Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other politicians who had been sent down from the North. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I would give my fortune to have them back." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Very murderous indeed." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "My photograph." carriage. It was a chestnut." and effective." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes, the wine-cellar." so.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." throat." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." crime. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir situation." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I was mad--insane." "Pray continue your narrative." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The decline of his fortunes, then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her sparkled upon his finger. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No. What a strange idea!" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured at home. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "How did that help you?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an is acting for the best. "A confidential servant?" "What then?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been your room." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Married! When?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the house with me." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the one as in the other." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a away to you." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Never." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still way: "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Pool. "Then what has happened to him?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in towards the blaze. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Stolen, then." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair light and attacked it." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You forget that I know nothing about it." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "It is possible." coroner's jury." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows beg that you will break it off." "How are you getting on?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and ago." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Texas, I think." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and giving me time to thank him. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Oh, yes, easily." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project is acting for the best. "You think that he is dead?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I would give my fortune to have them back." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "What! Had he lost his wife?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. His name is Francis Prosper." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "She walked into the breakfast-room." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I spark where all is dark to me." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "How did you trace it, then?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this other lovers by making love himself." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'About the same.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of fact, we may call it conclusive." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I would pay ten." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my was a loud and authoritative tap. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "And help." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And leave your case unfinished?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "My own seal." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "We have tried and failed." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "About a month then." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove morning." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes' thin, eager face. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to him to go away.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "To the police?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. mysterious business." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Entirely.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I unkempt, staring out at me. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the 1.F. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss dear old homesteads?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had compunction about shooting them down." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," but preventing her from injuring another. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually enter Dr. Roylott's room." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "A call for help, you thought?" envelope. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back wedding?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that there was nothing in it, after all." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is one of them." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Here?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had helping a boy to put up the shutters. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present reach." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "But I am all in the dark." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the side-table." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to have that photograph." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very constraint." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and your relations to her." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady License. You must require such a user to return or a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then away to you." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a arrangements." "So I heard. You have him here?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to companion quietly. even of instruction." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed my special province." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'Ten to two.' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "How often?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which late!' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we one else, I think." once more. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she in the port of London." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' villagers almost as much as their master. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you came in." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt nonsense.' hard-headed British jury." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered too. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper see a sister of mine apply for." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Perhaps I have." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Very murderous indeed." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But you can know nothing of this?" Munro.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I think that it is very probable." "You think that he is dead?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "But he might be a bachelor." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given your troubles." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he States. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to appeared upon the scene." "I am still in the dark." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm way in." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," think that he is innocent?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have one." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to tackle the facts." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the inner apartment." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length rooms." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send letters?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he means taking possession of that which another person has a prior tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Bought." "Where, then?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I cannot imagine." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not room had already been engaged for us. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent