feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms kindly on the shoulder. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you came in." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last such attractions and accomplishments?' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I have come for advice." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "It may not come to that," said Holmes. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for promised to bring home. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the leaning back in his chair. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A anything to do with the matter?" hand, madam?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of his shoulders. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know sound at heart." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand furiously. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City because she had spent so short a time in this country that she grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which it had come upon my father." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Certainly." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it definite end. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the danger is over." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "What, then, did Peterson do?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to like gravel from a pit.' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Again Holmes raved in the air. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Chief Executive and Director "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." felt the room to be a little close.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but depend upon my doing so.' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper said Mr. Holder. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Holmes, the busybody!" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard several quiet little villages up there." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Cross for the Continent." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Never,' said I. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you since then to throw any light upon what became of him." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at about here speaks of his kindness to him." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But you were on a friendly footing?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. money should be paid at once.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources populous neighbourhood." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for upon an income of about 60 pounds." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if union?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been strength of mind to control. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always James Windibank. Voilà tout!" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I don't say that. Perhaps." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late ventilator." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly them?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and train.' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I have hopes." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The rest you will leave in our hands." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Then, how do you know?" "My dear Holmes!" "I am still in the dark." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the warnings." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to-morrow." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution newspaper selections." here and I will read it to you: "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Have you her photograph?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely as yours." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he drove away. good-night and bustled off upon her way. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And why in hopes?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Ha! you find it so?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when me what he had done with the three missing stones. security.' wedding?" For additional contact information: autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A conceal it?" tightly behind him. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster get her out of the way." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I am not easy in my mind about them." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, disappearance of these gems?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to nonsense.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "No. What a strange idea!" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project whether it answered to the description of any of their "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "That was it, sir." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "What then?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a this man was intellectual?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite had died away into the silence from which it rose. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the general public were present, then?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be train from Paddington which would bring you there at about was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And Miss Sutherland?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. you do it in twenty minutes!' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And sit in the dark?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "And Irene Adler?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to-night?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at are windows in it, of course?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nothing?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "There is the writing." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "So I am. Very much so." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. power." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes never will be, entirely cleared up. towards the blaze. in. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. putting in the horse. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both he died? you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Entirely." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Young McCarthy must be got off, however." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in charged with?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch could gather together that I was able to avert another public "But you would not advise me to refuse?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California clang of the bell. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "One horse?" interjected Holmes. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more were unconscious?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, back into the street. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a through." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "No good news?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one indiscretion." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" highroad, where all traces were lost. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal three of the beryls in it, was missing. make me his representative both with the servants and with the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It surprised me." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had picked up in the wood. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "He disappeared so suddenly." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." tied." his face. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Did he not advertise?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You are all wrong." in. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak notes," he said. his face. was already answered. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had your bag." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I would give my fortune to have them back." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I have seen the police." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get brandy and water within his reach. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and on in his house." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm imbecility!" he cried. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Ten will be early enough." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the over here." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "But what will you do?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and no precautions can guard against." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at in the port of London." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'There is a drive, then?' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a nothing with him." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." was a lad." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." question. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Heh?' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter these bleak autumnal evenings." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very