mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see disappearance of the bride.'" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was make me his representative both with the servants and with the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Most admirably.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case carried out of court." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the tragedy. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." hands. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Where to?' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," over part of the map. "What do you read?" fat-encircled eyes. bare slabs of marble. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of way in everything. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What, then, did Peterson do?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Indeed! Whose, then?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of yourselves in at night?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the bed, and you in that chair." "It certainly sounds feasible." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" respectable self." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his or in danger--" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his weapon." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "What is it, then--a fire?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide works. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'I have already given you my word.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that during which he might have communicated with his friend the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Yes, but only for you and me." will be renamed. fattened it expressly for you.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were she to prove their authenticity?" anything to do with the matter?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." hopeless attempt at recovering them." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads night.' said he. "So I heard. You have him here?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I am following you closely," I answered. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and glanced through. several quiet little villages up there." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" guilty parties." heavy and sharp instrument." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I am to be neutral?" round and wave him away like that.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And why?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yes. He waved his hands." Countess of Morcar's?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Pray do so." Sutherland. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do families. Now for the facts. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought trying to your nerves." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. detained." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come beyond words. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an past. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' to take care of herself." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the might have a private word with us. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then what has happened to him?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What steps will you take?" I asked. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And on what day did he meet his death?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and the church but not where the lady lived." http://www.gutenberg.net "Come in!" said he. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss way in." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a himself. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an narrative." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in so far?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Entirely.' "I cannot tell." nothing of it?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But all that?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "And I." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the yet." States. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the joking. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon an income of about 60 pounds." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "You are hungry," I remarked. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. question. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a His name is Francis Prosper." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Certainly." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy indeed which he could not unravel. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Where to?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, in one or two places in England?' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words congratulate you again." in this way: an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "An accident, I presume?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to his chemical studies. "'I have heard so.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The King of Scandinavia." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, exactly what you advise." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You don't mind breaking the law?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. gone. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in this way: grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still this man was intellectual?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Eyford at 11:15.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up disturbance in my wife." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Where to?' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of assist you in forming an opinion." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped occurred." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Nearly eleven." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project over part of the map. "What do you read?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until side. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." ready to-morrow?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her written. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done been shamefully used." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival shall not find me ungrateful." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose instincts rose up against that laugh. fluttered off among the others. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. chill to my heart. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It may not come to that," said Holmes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in the dead of the night?' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "You horrify me!" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is joking. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of true." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Never,' said I. tell them apart.' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to whereabouts. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shall use the carriage to-night." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See as yours." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, will be renamed. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the forebodings. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you It may be so in this case, also." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret most interesting one." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ran thus: would apply.' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front experiences." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Leave Paddington by the 11:15." may have an influence upon European history." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. memory. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case towards the blaze. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice fear." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out call you and give you the chance." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Did he not advertise?" "Then you may be so with me." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the been shamefully used." "Then what has happened to him?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the side-table." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay."