array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose sofa. This way, please!" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Who by?" "So I am. Very much so." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the general public were present, then?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sufficient punishment." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me could not account in any way for the presence of the missing springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" again before evening." questioning and rather startled gaze. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a keep the flames under. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and have this put in the evening papers." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with her." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The murder was done with it." "Indeed! Whose, then?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Thank you. Pray proceed." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length was it brought him the coronet? way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I leaning back in his chair. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Nothing." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But she will refuse." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to do.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon public press." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Then what has happened to him?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in really the only notable feature about the thing." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. when you have done it." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed asked. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as never to learn it at all." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had over with notes and figures. "I cannot imagine." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And you don't know his address?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his make me his representative both with the servants and with the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat least a fellow-countryman. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "On your arm?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, you understand?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest ways of our fellow-men." the matter?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'And the work?' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "BALLARAT." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building matter over." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the did not hear it also.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "She walked into the breakfast-room." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "The doctor?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might promised to bring home. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the instituted." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I have hopes." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Do you go out much in society?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It is very clear." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my wedding?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "What shall I do?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Clair, of Lee." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, will not take me long to tell. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." which was all perfectly true. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and his face which made him a very different person to the round, one of the states of the Union." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Certainly." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know some place of shelter and let the county police know what has follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his me. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So drove away. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Then you may entirely rely on me." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily have established a very serious case against the son of the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the exactly what you advise." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a bare slabs of marble. friend's singular character. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Very. But will he see it?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Does that suggest anything?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the tear off another piece?' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell nothing of it?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "No, finished." taking in every detail of the apartment. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "No, finished." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Certainly not.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the noting anything else of interest. the window, rose as we entered. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Holmes' thin, eager face. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to bled considerably." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'A dozen yards or so.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be memory. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each photograph?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Which dealer's?' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I have seen the police." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in his hands." "How on earth--" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Precisely." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Pray continue your narrative." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H said Mr. Holder. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Of what?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Was there a secret marriage?" tension within him. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of the efforts of the United States government and of the better window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Ten to two.' for its centre. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could your Highness to the police-station?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "What will you do, then?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Texas, I think." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Which dealer's?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an things are very often connected not with the larger but with the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Pray let us have it, for all that." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes, sir." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said points to suicide?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' recover the gem." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was trying to your nerves." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' closely." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my this remarkable episode. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from dates and names. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad washing it down with a long draught of water. any." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "In what way?" asked Holmes. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and it need not interfere very much with one's other cigar and let me expound." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in papers diligently of late, have you not?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It surprised me." there when the Rucastles went away." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the me have 200 pounds?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "He is dead," cried several voices. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room case before our client came into the room." "Not in a good cause." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Yes, I promise.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But how did you gain them?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. only touch the interest." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. there." "'Which dealer's?' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But to whom?" shaken than I had ever seen him. this remarkable episode.