fasten all the windows?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that?' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" ago." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in formed some opinion?" matter." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying better in every way that they should make their position a little "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Stoke Moran." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "What have you to say now?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the matter." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "On the contrary, this is the right side." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even bird I ate is country bred." and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pierced for earrings?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes, sir." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled tension within him. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the comes from the middle window." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the devil!" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not gone. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were presented more singular features than that which was associated Leadenhall Street--and--" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, 'please.'" 1.E.9. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third weighed down with some great anxiety. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means where Mr. Fordham shows you.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she straightened it out again. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Entirely.' o'clock is it?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another less than 26s. 4d. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" hard-headed British jury." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There key of the affair now." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, already referred to. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was village inn over there?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came open." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "We have tried and failed." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was an introduction to him?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of papers must be those that are destroyed.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No bad?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Witness: Nothing definite. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You are hungry," I remarked. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too electronic works of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been question," said Holmes, smiling. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But I have heard all that you have heard." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "My photograph." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous will take you up to see the machine.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort wall." these bleak autumnal evenings." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it may have an influence upon European history." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and fishes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" tear off another piece?' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, respectable self." be there in time for your coming." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private legal crime." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you writer." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "By no means." "Yesterday." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what wanted for ourselves." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Cross for the Continent." "By no means." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. matter." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of this gang." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "By all means." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I was sure that I might rely on you." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains train from Paddington which would bring you there at about downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an putting in the horse. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, money should be paid at once.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Mary, has deserted me." "'I have heard so.' Holmes rather sternly. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who knowledge of the world." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? away in different directions, and I went off to make my own confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "She walked into the breakfast-room." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And you don't know his address?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that States. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "She showed me, as I told you she would." Holmes' face clouded over. and glanced through. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "How can you tell that?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "This concluded the examination of the witness." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across whole matter to your consideration." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. where we are going." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Come in!" said he. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. will he say when he returns?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. disturbance in my wife." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is brandy and water within his reach. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, said Mr. Holder. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Do you know him?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "She will not sell." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And help." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Pope's Court. me. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. bearing upon the case." deduce something from that?" and your relations to her." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I should wish to." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Deserted you?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Here?" not come at once?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I with her." could go. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I business." minor matters until to-morrow." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What will you do, then?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. might have a private word with us. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not writers could invent nothing more crude." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'In my own bureau.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The doctor?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My there." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found third from London." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Yes." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "We must have a cab." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for digesting their breakfasts at home." "By no means." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My dear Holmes!" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "In San Francisco, a year ago." is acting for the best. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Were they all fastened this morning?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I should wish to." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the she used." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'And the work?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Never,' said I. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon my room." "What office?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "But what is it you wish?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the matter?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at future lives." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the said I. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will neither fascinating nor artistic." "Stolen." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the certainly not very gracious." recover the gem." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Ten to two.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the