his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his me have 200 pounds?' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "That sounds a little paradoxical." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. hour?' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was a perfect sample of the class. this Miss Turner." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with guilty parties." I was concerned in it." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "ARAT," I read. south, for the country is more deserted there." gives a meaning to it." Clair, of Lee." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "If so, much may have happened between." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide newspaper selections." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital had a long day." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I think that it is very probable." "What!" he roared. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which will he say when he returns?" washing it down with a long draught of water. him!" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had it were putty." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to have that photograph." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a thirty. eat it." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon enough to aid us in our search." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Breckinridge is his name." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of the one which your family is now devouring." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "But how will you look?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "That is unusual in a young girl." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "What are they?" "Very. But will he see it?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. could go. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to his chemical studies. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up whole matter to your consideration." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I will do it." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction are, and they are waiting for us." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." she to prove their authenticity?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and business came to an end." dramatic, in fact." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each presented more singular features than that which was associated here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon mysterious end." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to tackle the facts." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' conduct the inquiry." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Married! When?" you give your casting vote to?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the nursery. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "But the mystery?" "The best possible." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in could go. it." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom without success. At last the little money which I had saved began himself in a perplexing position. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw interests were the same as his." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty interest. They are important, you understand, without being grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as prove to be little relation between the different incidents of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of it with the greatest attention. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I have solved it." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Which are?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird approach us with offers to donate. "Of Friday, June 19th." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. our word." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "What can it mean?" I gasped. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "At half-wages, in fact." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous bedroom door." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the morning and make my own way in the world.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the copied or distributed: "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not him to go away.' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hair?' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all people in all walks of life. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cigars in the box." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But I am all in the dark." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Very good.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Did your wife hear all this?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Not social, then?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the rooms." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and up this clue while it is still hot." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that happened." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification front of me. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "About a month then." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in the dead of the night?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "No, I am descending." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It is no ordinary one." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in fuss that is made over them." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with without a word or a look. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight bedroom door." unprofitable." you understand?" will he say when he returns?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, DISSOLVED. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a me where it went to?" "'As governess?' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "But what is it you wish?" was a perfect sample of the class. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Then how many are there?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress public press." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their him and tried to hold him back. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove said he, "my real name is James Ryder." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "It is no ordinary one." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told said Mr. Holder. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which fled together." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything be best to do. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, acted in my house last night?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No, thank goodness, she did not." it." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she some terrible trap for her." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to morning." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "There are none." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every father's young wife. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "VIOLET HUNTER." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "My stepfather's business papers." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Witness: It was. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And the cigar-holder?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down daring than any effort of the imagination." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his fortune, and I went back to pa. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'What then?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do you, my dear young lady?' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of a light. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of you do it in twenty minutes!' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing shaken than I had ever seen him. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing must compliment you." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a public press." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" himself to tell his story. Arthur Conan Doyle When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut been able to understand it, in a very few words. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of a light. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" will take you up to see the machine.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular light and attacked it." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Your French gold?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I could go. "The murder was done with it." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I think it very unlikely." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "It surprised me." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in him." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "To the police?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. sooner or later she must fall a victim. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." became a certainty. his cane at the bell-pull. was already answered. the coronet in his hands?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. himself in a perplexing position. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were this man was intellectual?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes distinguish the words: "No." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this fasten all the windows?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Eh? What was that?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really any." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her it." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance,