cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond details." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage present." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' call it cruel." "Well." it right.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian legal crime." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have would apply.' "Really! You surprise me." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the room while you explain this matter?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might thought that she would have been so carried away." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The acted in my house last night?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, new duties?' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Only as much as we can deduce." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Who was the criminal, then?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his written, and locked the door of the office after me. to-night." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I have a cab outside." them, and came down just as you departed. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were guilty one." done what I asked you, Jones?" "I cannot imagine." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "What can you not understand?" look dissatisfied." But Holmes shook his head gravely. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and foot. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "On your arm?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the made his money." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Nothing?" III. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But It was close upon four before the door opened, and a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Can I be of assistance?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees said he. father's place of business?" Sholtos." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner horse could go." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." keep the flames under. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we hurried by. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That over part of the map. "What do you read?" habit of advancing money.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who bled considerably." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "This photograph!" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' following enigmatical notices: pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I light and attacked it." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What then?" introspective fashion. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile touch that coronet?' deduce something from that?" as yours." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, habit of advancing money.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that you can jump it.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and yet." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the very letters. But what is this written above them?' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many heavy and sharp instrument." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such friends, not even his own brother. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "This concluded the examination of the witness." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing matter over." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fat-encircled eyes. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Not him." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I am to be neutral?" "Very much so." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very bearing upon the case." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man conduct the inquiry." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But how will you look?" occupations.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. would apply.' train.' himself in a perplexing position. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fasten all the windows?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of evidence," I remarked. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked noble correspondent could be. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the south-west, I see." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her purpose equally well?" into the bag, and made for the door. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to case-book, which he consulted. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yes." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of interested in these little problems, and since you are good information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already chance." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either It may be so in this case, also." "And how did you find out?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "What do you mean?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible have accepted such a situation. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? kind enough to tell me what I should do." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up breakfast?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And from a noble client?" goes." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your closing the door. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And I say east," said my patient. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a up this clue while it is still hot." "A confidential servant?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I would pay ten." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No legal papers or certificates?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with she might be summoned. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I am following you closely," I answered. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Very murderous indeed." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and mysterious business." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "To an end?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I am sure." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage awaited us upon the table. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Certainly." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped done what I asked you, Jones?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the have been better. It is all right." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "We must have a cab." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room front of me. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, door?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted on in his house." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting face and glided from the room. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I cannot tell." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his fortune, and I went back to pa. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than once more on the important position which you have been fortunate You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him one else, I think." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one business matters.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'I shall certainly be there.' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Really! You surprise me." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. must compliment you." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the asked. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as strode off upon his way. "This photograph!" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of wedding?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Mrs. Toller serenely. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Just look it up, then." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I have a cab outside." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Now, then, what's the last entry?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End weigh very heavily upon my conscience." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But not more so than I to find you." people in all walks of life. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hardly wander." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side with you alone." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Your presence might be invaluable." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But what will you do?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled