against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Never." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular touch that coronet?' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think advice." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there brandy and water within his reach. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Lee, in the county of Kent." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the cause to be." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes. He waved his hands." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what as this. Pray let me have the details." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the opportunities to fix the problem. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. question. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may national property. I was determined that the law should have its an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. at a side door. "'I have already given you my word.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an morning." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He strong and stiff." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she my special province." "Your presence might be invaluable." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the forehead. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And your mother is alive?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed brandy and water within his reach. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I was concerned in it." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And what did you learn from him?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then I can wait in the next room." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for is entirely a question of barometric pressure." read over the extraordinary announcement. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy upon the shelf for the interim." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, carpenter." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And when will you call?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I night.' said he. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Arthur Conan Doyle to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" brandy and water within his reach. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there nonsense.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, call for it in person on Monday morning.' I nodded again. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My Mary? Impossible!" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. October 9, 1890. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "But his left-handedness." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the matter." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from records." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Pray do so." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "He slept on the premises." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the Red-headed League." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. http://gutenberg.net/license). note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "And it is--" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg bled considerably." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'There is a drive, then?' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" sofa. This way, please!" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What can it mean?" I gasped. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to you." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." breakfast?" village inn over there?" were new raised from a basin. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Witness: Nothing definite. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and the church but not where the lady lived." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to visitors." "Yes." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a lost nothing by them." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible is so. I know all about McCarthy." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at imbecility!" he cried. my secret was safe in his possession. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has present." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And your mother is alive?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered own family. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Certainly." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Stolen." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "He is dead," cried several voices. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of morning." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You horrify me." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "One of his hands." remarked. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to not fit the lock." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to your Highness to the police-station?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." get the tickets." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial matter." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine helping a boy to put up the shutters. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That is not always so easy." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "We have tried and failed." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Come in!" said he. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the dangers which encompass me." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Precisely." "Yes, the wine-cellar." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his huge brown hands. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Won't it ring?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said about here speaks of his kindness to him." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the empty. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Have you good authority for what you say?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the think that he is innocent?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Holmes rather sternly. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a which our visitor detailed to us. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'How far from the body?' business." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the stable lane now." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Why? What do you mean?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the electronic works jewels which you have stolen?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should License. You must require such a user to return or all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to on re-entering her father's house?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I am about to be married." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "None. Neville wrote those words." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and questionable one." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only stepfather?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than The summons was a brief and urgent one. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of Mr. Rucastle's." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you bird of prey. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "That is possible." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Did your wife hear all this?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'What do you call purely nominal?' the best of training." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "BALLARAT." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." so far?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come client, rising. "No, distinctly professional." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My dear Holmes!" it. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My stepfather's business papers." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook empty. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "So it appears." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a horse could go." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free passage and a tap at the door. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'No, I know no one in these parts.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Lestrade of Scotland Yard." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Yes, from Horsham." I took the paper from him and read as follows: slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Ample." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond