was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my burst out into a roar of laughter. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in strong reason behind." up this clue while it is still hot." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of infinite languor in his face. "Her father is very rich?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It may not come to that," said Holmes. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of horse could go." derbies." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the mystery!" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high call the police, let the police find what they can.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'About the same.' coat-tails." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was whole matter to your consideration." "'Where to?' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "But how did you gain them?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. better grown goose." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did once more. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "May I see it?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate pity, because in other respects you would really have done very have had none more fantastic than this." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great since then to throw any light upon what became of him." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his discontent upon his features. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "It is very clear." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to him to go away.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. from you?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be my little problems." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square congratulate you again." and a shock of very red hair. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "But what will you do?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy light and attacked it." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in a very precise fashion." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Ample.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in cigars in the box." what do you think they found in the pockets?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two man. I know him from the photograph." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez dear old homesteads?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I am armed." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Heh?' that I may have something better before very many minutes are send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the You want to know what became of those geese?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. maid will bring up your coffee." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I cannot imagine." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Nothing?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I will do it." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and will not take me long to tell. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Then you may entirely rely on me." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and as the one I chose?' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and the colonel ushered me in. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then, as to money?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." hurried by. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "It is solved." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Who by?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have ventilator." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My Mary? Impossible!" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich correct than the official force." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary think you a quite exceptional woman." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." fashion which was peculiar to him. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I you in yours." rose-bushes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the that you can jump it.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long them, and came down just as you departed. "Never." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as there when the Rucastles went away." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Pool. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of campaign. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled important." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Witness: I must still refuse. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his back into the street. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of business." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It you?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then I am your man." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I cannot tell." http://gutenberg.net/license). lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque important." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at not fit the lock." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." astonishment. should be taken.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further true." "One of the highest in England." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "None." if only as a check to my own memory." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Whose house is it?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. tell them apart.' you give your casting vote to?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it The telegram which we eventually received came late one night indeed happy." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster get her out of the way." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and girl said." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Again Holmes raved in the air. passage and a tap at the door. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and laid it on the table. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets shaken than I had ever seen him. the bed, and you in that chair." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Certainly." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said him!" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming once more for Briony Lodge. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return he. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Her father is very rich?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H laugh and put his lips to my ear. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a might help us?" past. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His sit on the left-hand side of the driver." this unhappy family?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It was an hour's good drive." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his passage and a tap at the door. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "So it appears." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose foot. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is," said he presently: possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "In the cells." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes, he did." Eyford at 11:15.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in unkempt, staring out at me. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Stolen, then." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "And leave your case unfinished?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And that is--" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Married! When?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to-night?" I asked. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. my former friend and companion. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on quite distinctive." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle hopeless attempt at recovering them." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being impression behind it as though a window had gently closed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Witness: Nothing definite. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "How often?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Again Holmes raved in the air. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No. His orders were to stay in the house." suddenly upon us." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose house for five minutes.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to-night?' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is possible." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It surprised me." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Then I am your man." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the so-precious time, but come!'