go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of room had already been engaged for us. http://gutenberg.net/license). the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'How far from the body?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That sounds a little paradoxical." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes' thin, eager face. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to were unconscious?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Not him." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have bears upon the case?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Never,' said I. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I should like to see him very much." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "And I." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a such person." What do you deduce from it?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and put his glass in his pocket. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You are certainly joking, Holmes." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were your equipment. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "My opinion is in no way altered." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' our word." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after said he. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there acquaintance?" "What office?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Nothing." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. his cane at the bell-pull. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "No, finished." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, round and wave him away like that.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But who is he?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that next day. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his official police." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of evidence," I remarked. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments leave you to your papers for a little." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Dr. Becher's." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I cannot think." "And how in the world did you find them?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should strength in the others." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I shall continue with my miserable story. Pope's Court. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any page at http://pglaf.org ashen face. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from meanly of me." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the hopeless attempt at recovering them." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about weigh very heavily upon my conscience." hour?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You have but to name it." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case down. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have not had my rubber." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Farm upon the left." it with his own hands." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" him, that man would not have given me such complete information man. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I generous with you in money matters.' of the way of danger. overpowering excitement and concern. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening but preventing her from injuring another. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Nothing." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to a more successful conclusion." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Street. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I am armed." "Oh, fresh and glossy." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Most admirably.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being own family. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both province." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his suddenly upon us." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But his left-handedness." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily You want to know what became of those geese?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes, but only for you and me." indeed happy." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know sit on the left-hand side of the driver." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Always." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Holmes rather sternly. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Deserted you?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of danger is over." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I shall most certainly do so." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. derbies." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between habit of advancing money.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I answered that I had not. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my then?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came ill-usage at the hands of fortune. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no speckled band?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to room?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about himself. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's with you alone." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "On the contrary, this is the right side." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And that is--" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the What do you deduce from it?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I think that it is very probable." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which them, and came down just as you departed. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my room." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish outsides of the windows. tell them apart.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "How on earth--" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Can I be of assistance?" Holmes." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, she to prove their authenticity?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "Where, then?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, think that any burglar could have done. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Certainly." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The best possible." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over have an American origin." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I promise," said Holmes. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite must be when I saw the door open.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I place no limit on the sum I may draw." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which gone. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I might have a private word with us. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Farm upon the left." McCarthy." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you bare slabs of marble. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was was a perfect sample of the class. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and a shock of very red hair. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. read over the extraordinary announcement. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds she to prove their authenticity?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to strength." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until humiliation." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "How did you deduce the select?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back morning." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet him, that man would not have given me such complete information was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day are windows in it, of course?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the cost them two and thirty pounds." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, strength of mind to control. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman again, where I was soon asleep. your bag." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and happened." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose fled together." "That is unusual in a young girl." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my will not take me long to tell. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, key of the affair now." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little chance." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then to a light-house. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Not I." telegram would bring me down to your help." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had than was visible to me." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Sholtos." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I