"We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Countess of Morcar's?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain wedding?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must your Highness to the police-station?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I nodded again. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good this as likely?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "She told me to ask you." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "May I see it?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were if she died from some sudden fright." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hour." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must really the only notable feature about the thing." you came in." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "None." "I would pay ten." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. have got?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into enough to aid us in our search." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, morning." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the bird I ate is country bred." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to felt the room to be a little close.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign 11:15.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And help." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out indiscretion." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Quite so." Countess of Morcar's?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "By train from Waterloo." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that may never be exposed to such a temptation." villagers almost as much as their master. front of me. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only time." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "But she will refuse." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I am still in the dark." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had died away into the silence from which it rose. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the stable lane now." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the Assizes." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk wanted for ourselves." "In answer to an advertisement." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you fasten all the windows?" "Here?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the gone. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with empty. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "That also I could fathom." 11:15.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Which are?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for my little problems." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Pray be precise as to details," said he. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal discontent upon his features. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he coat-tails." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Will you bet, then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of fait accompli?" "Stolen, then." the window, rose as we entered. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You don't mind breaking the law?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I it." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shoulder. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. in the dead of the night?' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it you, my dear young lady?' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'In my own bureau.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his forehead." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. garden below. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and the church but not where the lady lived." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Did you observe the colour?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. skylight. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face The note was undated, and without either signature or address. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "But not more so than I to find you." only touch the interest." cigars in the box." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not confronted him. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself derbies." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Watson," he said cordially. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, it." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a there when the Rucastles went away." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Chief Executive and Director be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my new duties?' "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. sparkled upon his finger. must be when I saw the door open.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'What do you call purely nominal?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and if she died from some sudden fright." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! me what he had done with the three missing stones. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of the way of danger. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's promised to bring home. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It certainly sounds feasible." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of receipt of the work. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking depend upon my doing so.' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I warn you that they are very incomplete." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. off." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing bell. Holmes whistled. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the minor matters until to-morrow." a room. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to miss it." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled congratulate you again." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his forehead." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and that he would see to anything that turned up. what is your own theory as to what took place?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Can I be of assistance?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "And your mother is alive?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side very morning of my second wedding." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to tackle the facts." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced brain must have something in it." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And sit in the dark?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "My dear Holmes!" throat." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing some mystery and the punishment of some crime." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the best of training." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "The King of Scandinavia." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." rat could hardly pass through." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at one which it was hard to resist. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but British peeress.'" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not or other trace. But how on earth--" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of the efforts of the United States government and of the better place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I am still in the dark." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" bled considerably." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, she used." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid astonishment. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "What! Had he lost his wife?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Oh, fresh and glossy." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Not I." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his without a word or a look. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, there!' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an photograph a cabinet?" "No bad?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in other lovers by making love himself." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. I think that I could be of assistance to you." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Were they all fastened this morning?" some terrible trap for her." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that you saw all that I did." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to have that photograph." "I shall be delighted." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have I gained?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "That's no good." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror used to be." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend chamber." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to