town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Well." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never IS "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the window, rose as we entered. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set disappearance of these gems?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I nodded to show that I had heard. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Quite so." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Street. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and who was a member of your goose club." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the Assizes." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I important." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you some water from a caraffe. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "What are they?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Where did he live, then?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you?' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the bottom.' himself to hunt down. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." cup of tea. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It is his hat." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and it need not interfere very much with one's other have an American origin." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this that he has suffered." "By no means." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I should wish to." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Come in!" said he. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I have seen the police." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met tail." business." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third lectures into a series of tales." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what shag which I had seen upon the previous night. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much them, and came down just as you departed. "And what did you see?" humiliation." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I guessed as much." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the very letters. But what is this written above them?' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need ill-usage at the hands of fortune. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And when will you call?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you came in." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn new duties?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'I am sure that I do not know.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and a shock of very red hair. lumber-room." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable papers." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. prisoner's face. once more for Briony Lodge. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, clanging. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the stones. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be despaired of." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, me where it went to?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. floor. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, awaited us upon the table. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I have a cab outside." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Why did you pick him?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square voice, changing her seat as requested. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, from Horsham." becomes even more simple." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in the dead of the night?' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were eavesdroppers?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Very much so." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she she has been waylaid. There has been no result." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had room?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Miss Holder?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. questioning and rather startled gaze. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. comes from the middle window." stepfather?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." was a perfect sample of the class. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I shall most certainly do so." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way This is what he says: "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in easy-going way." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Countess of Morcar's?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and were wasted." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "No legal papers or certificates?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the dangers which encompass me." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fashion which was peculiar to him. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these know all about it," he snarled. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the King without delay." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here allusion to a rat. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were made him keep the appointment." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house strong reason behind." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very old mansion. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed what is your own theory as to what took place?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." paper in the air. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned affection." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Why did you beat the pavement?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "What do you mean?" "Yes, he did." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent little adventures." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "How did he come?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the room while you explain this matter?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what begun to whiten, even as mine has." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Lestrade of Scotland Yard." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Was he the only applicant?" prison!" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the entirely lost his self-respect." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything mystery!" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let business." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I should wish to." six. Come in!" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them me." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in depend upon my doing so.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel gives a meaning to it." and capable of preserving a secret.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes, at the mines." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we now. It seems that there had been some informality about their bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the bed, and you in that chair." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the night.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. kindly on the shoulder. you want, then?' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I say it is." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the telegram would bring me down to your help." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lectures into a series of tales." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "At half-wages, in fact." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a constraint." to his chemical studies. "Yes, at the mines." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations not personally threatened." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that I may have something better before very many minutes are slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you a good hundred miles off by now." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that there was no need for father to know." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it