answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the invisible to me," I remarked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and against a man in the prime of life?" I nodded again. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should second." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "The Cedars?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining who was a member of your goose club." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You are hungry," I remarked. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I am still in the dark." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Did your wife hear all this?" at once, for I have only half an hour." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this went to the Alpha were town bred." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'Entirely.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." will not take me long to tell. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "It is very kind of you." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that His smile broadened. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Pope's Court. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And did you observe any change in her then?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to furiously. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "No, I had a dozen." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a some water from a caraffe. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich into her hand at the door and which lured her within their day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would begun to whiten, even as mine has." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and arrangements." "But I have heard all that you have heard." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into mysterious end." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret quick march!" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Frequently." the warnings." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And I." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let remarked. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "We have tried and failed." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." said I. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I will get her to show me." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "None." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Doctor, of the paper and the date." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a lumber-room." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the fasten all the windows?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Why did you beat the pavement?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to tackle the facts." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Ten will be early enough." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to chance." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "May I see it?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon the white wrist. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. becomes even more simple." roused himself from his reverie. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No, I am descending." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Pray be precise as to details," said he. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I there!' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Then let me do so?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first them, and came down just as you departed. on re-entering her father's house?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" amused." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. me." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." key of the affair now." with frightened eyes at his accuser. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond your most interesting statement." "None." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I cannot imagine." gigantic client. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking emerged. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "We must have a cab." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he drawing your inferences." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any kindly on the shoulder. people don't know." the one as in the other." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began said I. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely an introduction to him?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he house for five minutes.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and wait." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Mrs. Toller serenely. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And why?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Sholtos." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "But how will you look?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Of Friday, June 19th." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he had died away into the silence from which it rose. noble correspondent could be. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Nothing?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the your most interesting statement." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, said Mr. Holder. for and were ordered to this address. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "To the police?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred promised to bring home. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the coronet in his hand?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "My private note-paper." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and excitement. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as know that the truth is known." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: never came back." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and like gravel from a pit.' fait accompli?" "How did that help you?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for your co-operation." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Always." in one or two places in England?' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and your relations to her." "She showed me, as I told you she would." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the armchair which I pushed forward for him. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" companion imperturbably. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Absolutely none." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought your troubles." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the go back?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, strong reason behind." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her recall any case within my experience which looked at the first charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at himself to hunt down. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in his hands." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom chance at all." bedroom door." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush your equipment. "'Most admirably.' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Nothing." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by was lame." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. him nearly every evening." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I matter." little trying to do so much typewriting?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Breckinridge is his name." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Lestrade of Scotland Yard." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She footfalls from the street. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is my friend's incisive reasoning. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. in the hope of finding them." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I up this clue while it is still hot." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat whether it answered to the description of any of their unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few excitement. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to