"And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go seen the man in the road." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been ways including including checks, online payments and credit card another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for entirely lost his self-respect." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You are all wrong." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Holmes rather sternly. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak together. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And how have you succeeded?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Entirely." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was shining brightly. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Ah!" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running like that before?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much outsides of the windows. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the do.' corner of the building. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical girl said." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I cannot say that I have." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from developed." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and effective." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'As governess?' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Stoke Moran?" said he. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'And the work?' Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Then, how do you know?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest do.' constraint." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'Yes, it was gone.' to tackle the facts." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through residence of the great financier. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And how have you succeeded?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the south-west, I see." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "You forget that I know nothing about it." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You have but to name it." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "BALLARAT." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I promise," said Holmes. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box business at Coburg Square is serious." results." My friend smiled. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Surrey." "You have compromised yourself seriously." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his even so self-evident a thing as that." "I shall most certainly do so." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "At what time?" "'Certainly not.' passage and a tap at the door. questionable one." pictures, libraries, or plate. at once, for I have only half an hour." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a them?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." if she died from some sudden fright." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an some city in a dream. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "The knees of his trousers." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Ten to two.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, coat-tails." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my when your master had gone out." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out figure." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite there has been an enclosure here!" "Why? What do you mean?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "No." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "But I am all in the dark." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "But you have hopes?" hair?' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual questioning and rather startled gaze. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those trying to your nerves." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps stood on the top of it. "Always." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes, he did." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Literary Archive Foundation will not take me long to tell. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a closing the door. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be least a fellow-countryman. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The when you have done it." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No, I am descending." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "But to whom?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Do you know him?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of may have an influence upon European history." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his despaired of." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "In answer to an advertisement." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "And why in hopes?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain newspaper selections." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece His smile broadened. prison!" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "No, my brougham is waiting." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed for the market.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though soul! here is her carriage at the door." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have some terrible trap for her." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "When did she vanish, then?" "Upon what point?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At prove to be little relation between the different incidents of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project really the only notable feature about the thing." "'And the work?' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, attention." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable will take you up to see the machine.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I before the coroner and the police-court." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project will be renamed. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford or other trace. But how on earth--" "You were travelling in the States?" signal between you and your father? "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "She showed me, as I told you she would." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Your French gold?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hard-headed British jury." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon an income of about 60 pounds." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and that he would see to anything that turned up. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "What will you say?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in persecution?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Heh?' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out have accepted such a situation. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I would pay ten." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'And the work?' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Was she in good spirits?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs out." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Seven!" I answered. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "What of the rat, then?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of Mr. Rucastle's." awkward doing business with an alias." "On the contrary, this is the right side." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change certainly do as you advise." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be both be extremely obliged.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this poor creature." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection shall use the carriage to-night." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, chance at all." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "We must have a cab." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may infinite languor in his face. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, His smile broadened. your sleep?' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he passage and a tap at the door. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I answered that I had not. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "We were both in the photograph." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had was keenly on my guard against him. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, meant it for the best. do.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are