simple cases which are so extremely difficult." His name is Francis Prosper." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What will you say?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' developed." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid your sleep?' "What do you mean?" "My last client of the sort was a king." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I took the paper from him and read as follows: corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply his fortune, and I went back to pa. I shall communicate with you." name is different." Surrey." "Was there a secret marriage?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger papers on the sundial.'" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again washing it down with a long draught of water. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Then the page we have seen--" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" any more." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Why serious?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "How often?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still have been better. It is all right." experiences." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. whereabouts. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'A dozen yards or so.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'What would be the hours?' I asked. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and happened." Holmes' thin, eager face. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but is entirely a question of barometric pressure." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "But his left-handedness." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I am following you closely," I answered. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the roots. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." locked." Sutherland. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "The knees of his trousers." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I cannot tell." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and yards of it?' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. child?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down bed dies. Does not that strike you?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Of Friday, June 19th." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and kindly on the shoulder. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend this remarkable episode. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the nursery. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." been able to understand it, in a very few words. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the side-table." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend developed." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "BALLARAT." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it seen the man in the road." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I know where it is." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that there was nothing in it, after all." foresight and the moral retrogression?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my back into the street. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the formed some opinion?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, some hundreds of times." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Very. But will he see it?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the so-precious time, but come!' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of depend upon your compliance." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Never to return." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather them present such singular features as the strange train of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "And I to find an enemy." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to-morrow." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to-night." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to Leatherhead. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'No, I know no one in these parts.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two crime." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I promise," said Holmes. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, papers on the sundial.'" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Heh?' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector habit of advancing money.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And why in hopes?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous assist you in forming an opinion." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Will you bet, then?" "Breckinridge is his name." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project do.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not woman." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, McCarthy's innocence. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I shall most certainly do so." round with crates and massive boxes. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I have it here in my museum." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as what is your own theory as to what took place?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons least a fellow-countryman. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Won't it ring?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And your mother is alive?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity matter." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is she might be summoned. business at Coburg Square is serious." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and joking. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I should wish to." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon note?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I beg pardon." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically carriage. It was a chestnut." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he fishes. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the night.' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "A call for help, you thought?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had purpose of examination. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and roused himself from his reverie. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew observed. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hereditary King of Bohemia." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to his chemical studies. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." goes." "Upon what point?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. this remarkable episode. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It The events in question occurred in the early days of my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace returning from some small jollification and was making his way taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The police have openly confessed that they can at present make undoubtedly my uncle's." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'You cannot say what it was?' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, one which it was hard to resist. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" depend upon your compliance." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, have had none more fantastic than this." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Gutenberg-tm License. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "But she could not love him." note?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Well, some hundreds of times." the little opening for the ventilator is." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "If I can be of use." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and inquire as to the address." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still for and were ordered to this address. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed said he, "my real name is James Ryder." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My spark where all is dark to me." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the station." papers on the sundial.'" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a your room." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the ourselves in the office." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him.